one of several bright spots on the parhelic circle or solar halo, caused by the diffraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere, esp around sunset
Also called: mock sun, sundog. Compare anthelion
Derived forms
parhelic (pɑːˈhiːlɪk, -ˈhɛlɪk) or parheliacal (ˌpɑːhɪˈlaɪəkəl)
adjective
Word origin
C17: via Latin from Greek parēlion, from para-1 (beside) + hēlios sun