corona
UK[kəˈrəʊnə]US[kəˈroʊnə]
n
a circle of light seen around the sun or moon, especially during an eclipse
n
the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere, visible as a white halo during a total solar eclipse
n
a crown or crown-like structure, especially on a plant or animal
n
a circular chandelier in a church
n
a long, straight-sided cigar with a rounded end
Etymology
the word 'corona' entered english directly from latin, where it signified a crown, wreath, or garland, often bestowed as a mark of honor. the latin term itself is traced back to the ancient greek 'korōnē', meaning "anything curved" like a crown or a garland, which is derived from the proto-indo-european root (s)ker- meaning "to turn, bend." this core concept of a curved or circular object elegantly explains its diverse modern applications, from the crown-like appearance of a solar halo and the sun's outer atmosphere to the shape of certain cigars and chandeliers.
Analysis
the entire word 'corona' is a simplex loanword from latin, where it functioned as a noun meaning "crown, garland, wreath."
Examples
the total solar eclipse revealed the sun's faint, pearly-white corona.
the virus was named for the crown-like appearance of its surface spikes under a microscope.
he lit a fine corona and settled into his armchair.