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Sun dog

//ˈsʌn dɒɡ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A bright spot in the sky, usually one of two on a parhelic circle on both sides of the sun (or occasionally above and below it), caused by the refraction of the sun's image through ice crystals.

    "December […] the 28th [1714], the Sun being an Hour high, appeared a Sun-Dog or Parhelion, the Sky full of flying Clouds."

Etymology

PIE word *sóh₂wl̥ From sun + dog (“(figurative) visible atmospheric or meteorological phenomenon”) ; metaphorically refers to the bright spots of light that appear to "dog" or follow the real sun, much like a dog follows its owner.

See also for "sun dog"

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