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Rainbow

//ˈɹeɪnboʊ// adj, name, noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Adjective

1
Multicolored, especially if in rainbow order. not-comparable
2
Made up of several races or ethnicities, or (more broadly) of several cultural or ideological factions. US, attributive, not-comparable
"That Asian-American actor Thomas Ikeda contributes a pleasingly frantic Panthino would not be considered rainbow enough."
3
LGBT. attributive, not-comparable
"Similarly, the question of who belongs in such a rainbow alliance isn't set. It can include gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals. It can include people who are 'questioning' which culture they belong to [...]"
4
Composed entirely of different suits. not-comparable
5
Of or pertaining to rainbow tables. not-comparable
"rainbow attack"

Proper Noun

1
A census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States.
2
A surname.
3
A town in the Shire of Hindmarsh and the Shire of Yarriambiack, western Victoria, Australia.

Noun

1
A multicoloured arch in the sky, produced by prismatic refraction of light within droplets of rain in the air.
"Why are there so many songs about rainbows And what's on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions And rainbows have nothing to hide."
2
A member of the Rainbow Guides, a Girl Guide movement for younger girls.
3
an illusory hope wordnet
4
Any prismatic refraction of light showing a spectrum of colours.
5
an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain wordnet

Show 7 more definitions

6
A wide assortment; a varied multitude. often
"a rainbow of possibilities"
7
An illusion; a mirage. figuratively
"Many electoral promises are rainbows, vanishing soon after poll day."
8
A curveball, particularly a slow one.
9
A trick in which the player makes the ball arc over the opponent's head using both feet; rainbow kick
10
In Texas hold 'em or Omaha hold 'em, a flop that contains three different suits. slang
11
Rainbow trout.
"Finally, by actual trial, I have found that I can catch more rainbow by using one fly than with a two or three-fly cast."
12
A person within the LGBT community. derogatory, figuratively, sometimes
"Oh look, the rainbow came back."

Verb

1
To brighten with, or as with, a rainbow; to pattern with the colours of the rainbow. transitive
2
To take the appearance of a rainbow. intransitive
"We saw birds and butterflies rainbowing in the sun; lazy lizards crawling in the heat; inguanas blinking on stone wall, with mouth wide open for flies; poisonous snakes, not only carved on walls, but gliding through the grass."
3
In climbing gyms where the rocks to climb are colored to indicate suggested climbing routes, to climb rocks of different colors, thereby ignoring such routes.
"“She's going to learn to belay while I'm climbing? What if I fall?” “You're not going to fall while rainbowing a 5.8, and besides, she'll catch you.” “I could die.” “That would be tragic,” I said. Kaitlyn crossed her arms."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English reynbowe, raynbowe, from Old English reġnboga (“rainbow”), from Proto-West Germanic *regnabogō, from Proto-Germanic *regnabugô (“rainbow”), equivalent to rain + bow (“arch”). Cognate with West Frisian reinbôge (“rainbow”), Dutch regenboog (“rainbow”), German Regenbogen (“rainbow”), Danish regnbue (“rainbow”), Swedish regnbåge (“rainbow”), Icelandic regnbogi (“rainbow”).

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

Etymology 4

From rainbow.

Etymology 5

Two main origins: * From an altered form of the Old French personal name Rainbaut, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements *raginą (“advice, counsel”) and *balþaz (“strong, bold”). * Translation of German Regenbogen, a Jewish Ashkenazi ornamental surname.

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