An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An intense flash of light that happens a few seconds before and after totality during a solar eclipse. The effect is caused by the last rays of sunlight before totality (or the first rays of sunlight after totality) shining through valleys on the edge of the Moon.

Etymology (EN): → diamond; → ring; → effect.

Etymology (PE): Oskar, → effect; angoštar “a ring worn on the finger,” from angošt “finger,” Mid.Pers. angušt “finger, toe,” Av. angušta- “toe,” from ank- “curved, crooked,” cf. Skt. angustha- “thumb,” ankah “hook, bent,” Gk. angkon “elbow,” angkura “anchor,” L. angulum “corner” (E. angle),
Lith. anka “loop,” O.E. ancleo “ankle,” O.H.G. ango “hook,” PIE base *ang-/*ank- “to bend”; → diamond.