Meaning
A multicoloured arch in the sky, produced by prismatic refraction of light within droplets of rain in the air.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English reynbowe, raynbowe, from Old English reġnboga (“rainbow”), from Proto-West Germanic *regnabogō, from Proto-Germanic *regnabugô (“rainbow”), equivalent to rain + bow (“arch”). Cognate with West Frisian reinbôge (“rainbow”), Dutch regenboog (“rainbow”), German Regenbogen (“rainbow”), Danish regnbue (“rainbow”), Swedish regnbåge (“rainbow”), Icelandic regnbogi (“rainbow”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: