An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A diffuse bright region surrounding the shadow that an observer’s head casts on an irregular surface. It can be best observed on dewy reeds or grass. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the → glory, but without its color and regular structure.

Etymology (EN): Heiligenschein, Ger., literally “saint’s shining light,” from heiligen, from heilig “holy, sacred” (P.Gmc. *khailagas; M.H.G. heilec; O.H.G. heilag; Goth. hailag; O.N. heilagr; O.E. halig; E. holy) + Schein “glow, shine” (M.H.G. schinen, O.H.G. skinan,
P.Gmc. *skinanan; E. shine; cf. Mod.Pers. sâyé “shadow;” Mid.Pers. sâyak “shadow;” Av. a-saya- “throwing no shadow;” Skt. chāya- “shadow;” Gk. skia “shade;” Rus. sijat’ “to shine;” PIE base *skai- “bright”).

Etymology (PE): Sepant foruq, from sepant “holy” (Mid.Pers. spand “holy,” Spandarmat “Holy Thought; 5-th day of the month; 12-th month of the year;”
from Av. spənta- “holy; beneficent,” spəntô.mainyav- “coming from or belonging to the holy spirit,” spəntô.təma- “holiest”)

• foruq “light, brightness” (related to rôšan “light; bright, luminous;” ruz “day,” afruxtan “to light, kindle;” Mid.Pers. payrog “light, brightness,” rošn light; bright," rôc “day;” O.Pers. raucah-; Av. raocana- “bright, shining, radiant,” raocah- “light, luminous; daylight;”
  cf. Skt. rocaná- “bright, shining, roka- “brightness, light;” Gk. leukos “white, clear;” L. lux “light” (also lumen, luna; E. light, Ger. Licht, and Fr. lumière;
  PIE base *leuk- “light, brightness”).