n. pl. nim·bi (-bī′) or nim·bus·es 1. A cloudy radiance said to surround a classical deity when on earth. 2. A radiant light that appears usually in the form of a circle or halo about or over the head in the representation of a god, demigod, saint, or sacred person such as a king or an emperor. 3. A splendid atmosphere or aura, as of glamour, that surrounds a person or thing. 4. A rain cloud, especially a low dark layer of clouds such as a nimbostratus. [Latin, cloud; see nebh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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