rain|bow

rain|bow «RAYN _BOH», noun, adjective, verb.

–n.

1. a bow or arch of six colors seen sometimes in the sky, or in mist or spray when the sun shines on it from behind the observer; iris. A rainbow shows all the colors of the spectrum: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. »

The rainbow, one of the most beautiful of natural phenomena, is a spectrum produced by the dispersion of sunlight by spherical raindrops (John Charles Duncan). There was a rainbow round about the throne (Revelation 4:3).

2. anything similar, such as a lunar rainbow or moonbow.

3. = rainbow trout. (Cf. ↑rainbow trout)

–adj.

1. having to do with a rainbow.

2. Figurative. having many colors like a rainbow: »

the endless parrot-tribe with their rainbow hues (William H. Prescott).

–v.t.

to brighten or span with a rainbow: »

Figurative. The great bridge rainbows the skyline (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

–v.i.

to take the form or color pattern of a rainbow: »

The sails…rainbowed with small signalling flags (London Times).

╂[Old English regnboga < regn rain + boga bow, curve, arch]