Co*ro"na (k?-r?"n?), n.; pl.
L. Coronæ (-n&?;), E.
Coronas (-n&?;z). [L. corona crown. See
Crown.] 1. A crown or garland
bestowed among the Romans as a reward for distinguished
services.
2. (Arch.) The projecting part of
a Classic cornice, the under side of which is cut with a recess
or channel so as to form a drip. See Illust. of
Column.
3. (Anat.) The upper surface of
some part, as of a tooth or the skull; a crown.
4. (Zoöl.) The shelly
skeleton of a sea urchin.
5. (Astrol.) A peculiar luminous
appearance, or aureola, which surrounds the sun, and which is
seen only when the sun is totally eclipsed by the moon.
6. (Bot.) (a) An
inner appendage to a petal or a corolla, often forming a special
cup, as in the daffodil and jonquil. (b)
Any crownlike appendage at the top of an organ.
7. (Meteorol.) (a)
A circle, usually colored, seen in peculiar states of the
atmosphere around and close to a luminous body, as the sun or
moon. (b) A peculiar phase of the
aurora borealis, formed by the concentration or
convergence of luminous beams around the point in the heavens
indicated by the direction of the dipping needle.
8. A crown or circlet suspended from the
roof or vaulting of churches, to hold tapers lighted on solemn
occasions. It is sometimes formed of double or triple circlets,
arranged pyramidically. Called also corona lucis.
Fairholt.
9. (Mus.) A character [&pause;]
called the pause or hold.
