‖ paraselene
(ˌpærəsɪˈliːniː)
Pl paraselenæ (-niː).
[In form, mod.L. paraselēnē, f. Gr. παρα- in sense ‘subsidiary, false’ + σελήνη moon (after parhelion): cf. F. parasélène (1547 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
A bright spot on a lunar halo, somewhat resembling the moon itself; a mock moon.
| 1653 [see paraster]. 1670 Phil. Trans. V. 1071 Observed together with the Paraselene's or Mock-moons by M. Hevelius. 1790 Umfreville Hudson's Bay 24 Paraselenes or mock moons appear, when the vapours arising from open water become condensed by the frost. 1835 Sir J. Ross Narr. 2nd Voy. xxxvi. 501 A large and beautiful halo round the moon, with four paraselenæ. 1878 A. H. Markham Gt. Frozen Sea xv. 206 Paraselenæ, or mock moons, and auroras were of frequent occurrence. |
Hence paraselenic (ˌpærəsɪˈlɛnɪk) a., pertaining to or of the nature of a paraselene. In mod. Dicts.