rainbow

English

/ˈɹeɪnboʊ/, /ˈɹeɪnbəʊ/

noun
Definitions
  • A multicoloured arch in the sky, produced by prismatic refraction of light within droplets of rain in the air.
  • Any prismatic refraction of light showing a spectrum of colours.
  • (often used with “of”) A wide assortment; a varied multitude.
  • (figurative) An illusion, mirage.
  • (baseball) A curveball, particularly a slow one.
  • (poker slang) In Texas hold 'em or Omaha hold 'em, a flop that contains three different suits.
  • rainbow Rainbow trout.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English reinbowe inherited from Old English reġnboga (rainbow) inherited from Proto-Germanic *regnabugô (rainbow) compound from English rain + English bow (arch)root from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (bend).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰewgʰ-

Gloss

bend

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms