Baily's beads

plural noun

Bai·ly's beads

ˈbālēz-,

-liz-

: the row of brilliant points of sunlight shining through valleys on the edge of the moon that are seen for a few seconds just before and after the central phase in an eclipse of the sun

Word History

Etymology

after Francis Baily †1844 English astronomer who described them

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Baily's beads was in 1858

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Baily's beads.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Baily%27s%20beads. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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