moonbow
noun/ˈmuːnbəʊ/
Etymology From moon + bow, by analogy with rainbow.
1
Climatology, Meteorology, Natural sciences A rainbow formed by moonlight diffracted by water droplets in the air, usually fainter than a daytime rainbow and with fewer distinguishable colours.
- Often rainbows by night or moonbows span the lake.1896, James Wells, Travel-pictures from Palestine, page 94:
- Among the rarer optical effects associated with the moon are also moonbows or lunar rainbows.2010, Bernd Brunner, Moon: A Brief History, unnumbered page:
1 more example
- When the sun shines over Kentucky's Cumberland Falls, the mist creates a rainbow on most days. If the moon shines brightly enough, it can create a moonbow, too!2011, Colleen Ryckert Cook, Kentucky: Past and Present, page 9:
- Synonyms
- lunar rainbow, white rainbow