First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
aurora
noun au·ro·ra \ə-ˈrȯr-ə, ȯ-\
plural auroras or au·ro·rae\-(ˌ)ē\
Definition of AURORA
1
: dawn
2
capitalized : the Roman goddess of dawn — compare eos
3
: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines
— au·ro·ral \-əl\ adjective
— au·ro·re·an \-ē-ən\ adjective
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Origin of AURORA
Latin — more at east
Related to AURORA
Other Astronomy Terms
Aurora
geographical name Au·ro·ra \ə-ˈrȯr-ə, ȯ-\
Definition of AURORA
1
city N cen Colorado E of Denver pop 325,078
2
city NE Illinois pop 197,899
3
town Canada in SE Ontario pop 53,203
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