Supernumerary rainbow

Supernumerary rainbow
Rainbow Rain"bow` (r[=a]n"b[=o]`), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite to the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of falling rain. [1913 Webster]

Note: Besides the ordinary bow, called also primary rainbow, which is formed by two refractions and one reflection, there is also another often seen exterior to it, called the secondary rainbow, concentric with the first, and separated from it by a small interval. It is formed by two refractions and two reflections, is much fainter than the primary bow, and has its colors arranged in the reverse order from those of the latter. [1913 Webster]

{Lunar rainbow}, a fainter arch or rainbow, formed by the moon.

{Marine rainbow}, {Sea bow}, a similar bow seen in the spray of waves at sea.

{Rainbow trout} (Zo["o]l.), a bright-colored trout ({Salmo irideus}), native of the mountains of California, but now extensively introduced into the Eastern States, Japan, and other countries; -- called also {brook trout}, {mountain trout}, and {golden trout}.

{Rainbow wrasse}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Wrasse}.

{Supernumerary rainbow}, a smaller bow, usually of red and green colors only, sometimes seen within the primary or without the secondary rainbow, and in contact with them. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • supernumerary rainbow — noun : a faintly colored rainbow sometimes seen because of atmospheric interference next to a primary or secondary rainbow …   Useful english dictionary

  • Supernumerary (disambiguation) — Supernumerary is an adjective which means exceeding the usual number . When used as a noun, supernumerary means a temporary employee, additional society member, or extra manpower. Other supernumerary things include:* Supernumerary body parts * In …   Wikipedia

  • Rainbow — Rain bow (r[=a]n b[=o] ), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite to the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rainbow trout — Rainbow Rain bow (r[=a]n b[=o] ), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rainbow wrasse — Rainbow Rain bow (r[=a]n b[=o] ), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rainbow — For other uses, see Rainbow (disambiguation). Double rainbow and supernumerary rainbows on the inside of the primary arc. The shadow of the photographer s head on the bottom marks the centre of the rainbow circle (antisolar point). A rainbow is… …   Wikipedia

  • rainbow —    A term used to denote the well known coloured arc sometimes seen against a sunlit background of falling water drops. Rainbows are typically seen when the Sun is low in the sky, and the observer is facing a raincloud on the horizon opposite the …   Dictionary of Hallucinations

  • Lunar rainbow — Rainbow Rain bow (r[=a]n b[=o] ), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Marine rainbow — Rainbow Rain bow (r[=a]n b[=o] ), n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent.] A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rainbow — rainbowy, rainbowlike, adj. /rayn boh /, n. 1. a bow or arc of prismatic colors appearing in the heavens opposite the sun and caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun s rays in drops of rain. Cf. primary rainbow, secondary rainbow. 2. a …   Universalium

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