rainbow
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rain·bow
(rān′bō′)n.
1.
a. An arc of spectral colors, usually identified as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, that appears in the sky opposite the sun as a result of the refractive dispersion of sunlight in drops of rain or mist.
b. A similar arc or band, as one produced by a prism or by iridescence.
c. A graded display of colors.
2. An illusory hope: chasing the rainbow of overnight success.
3. A diverse assortment or collection.
[Middle English, from Old English rēnboga : rēn, rain + boga, bow; see bow3.]
rainbow
(ˈreɪnˌbəʊ)n
1. (Physical Geography) a bow-shaped display in the sky of the colours of the spectrum, caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays through rain or mist
2.
a. any similar display of bright colours
b. (as modifier): a rainbow pattern.
3. an illusory hope: to chase rainbows.
4. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (modifier) of or relating to a political grouping together by several minorities, esp of different races: the rainbow coalition.
Rainbow
(ˈreɪnˌbəʊ)n
a member of the Rainbow Guides, the youngest group of girls (aged 5-7 years) in The Guide Association
rain•bow
(ˈreɪnˌboʊ)n.
1. a bow or arc of prismatic colors in the heavens opposite the sun; caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of rain.
2. a similar bow of colors, esp. one in the spray of a waterfall or fountain.
3. any brightly multicolored arrangement or display.
4. a wide variety or range; gamut.
5. a visionary goal.
adj. 6. of many colors; multicolored.
7. made up of diverse races, groups, etc.: a rainbow coalition.
[before 1000]
rain·bow
(rān′bō′) An arc-shaped spectrum of color seen in the sky opposite the sun, especially after rain, caused by the refraction and reflection of sunlight by droplets of water suspended in the air.
rainbow
- Comes from Old Norse regnbogi (becoming Old English renboga, ren, "rain," and boga, "bend, bow") and is a bow or arch of the colors of the prism that is formed in the sky opposite to the sun by the reflection, double refraction, and dispersion of the sun's rays in falling drops of rain.See also related terms for reflection.
Rainbow
a rainbow as a symbol of a past storm.Examples: rainbow of hope, 1876; of the storms of life, 1813.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  rainbow - an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rainsky - the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth |
| 2. | rainbow - an illusory hope; "chasing rainbows" |
rainbow
nounRelated words
adjective iridal
adjective iridal
rainbow
nounA fantastic, impracticable plan or desire:
Translations
дъга
duha
regnbue
ĉielarko
رنگین کمان
sateenkaarispektrikirjavakirjomonivärinen
duga
szivárvány
bianglalapelangi
regnbogifriðarbogi
虹
무지개
arcus
vaivorykštė
curcubeu
dúha
mavrica
regnbåge
รุ้งกินน้ำ
cầu vồng
rainbow
n → Regenbogen m; a dress (in) all the colours of the rainbow → ein Kleid in allen Regenbogenfarben; a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow → ein Wunschtraum m
rainbow
:rainbow coalition
n → Regenbogenkoalition f
rainbow family
n → Regenbogenfamilie f
rainbow flag
n → Regenbogenflagge f → or -fahne f
rainbow trout
n → Regenbogenforelle f
rain
(rein) noun1. water falling from the clouds in liquid drops. We've had a lot of rain today; walking in the rain; We had flooding because of last week's heavy rains.
2. a great number of things falling like rain. a rain of arrows.
verb1. (only with it as subject) to cause rain to fall. I think it will rain today.
2. to (cause to) fall like rain. Arrows rained down on the soldiers.
ˈrainy adjective having (many) showers of rain. a rainy day; the rainy season; rainy weather.
ˈraininess nounˈrainbow noun
the coloured arch sometimes seen in the sky opposite the sun when rain is falling.
ˈrain check: take a rain check (American) (to ask) to do something at a later time. Thanks for inviting me to dinner, but can I take a rain check on it?
ˈraincoat noun a waterproof coat worn to keep out the rain.
ˈraindrop noun a single drop of rain.
ˈrainfall noun the amount of rain that falls in a certain place in a certain time. We haven't had much rainfall this year; the annual rainfall.
ˈrain forest noun a thick tropical forest in a region where it rains a lot.
ˈrain-gauge noun an instrument for measuring rainfall.
keep/save etc for a rainy day to keep (especially money) until one needs it or in case one may need it.
rain cats and dogs to rain very hard.
the rains (in tropical countries) the rainy season.
(as) right as rain perfectly all right; completely well.