Hypertext Webster Gateway: "rainbow"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Rainbow
caused by the reflection and refraction of the rays of the sun
shining on falling rain. It was appointed as a witness of the
divine faithfulness (Gen. 9:12-17). It existed indeed before,
but it was then constituted as a sign of the covenant. Others,
however (as Delitzsch, Commentary on Pentateuch), think that it
"appeared then for the first time in the vault and clouds of
heaven." It is argued by those holding this opinion that the
atmosphere was differently constituted before the Flood. It is
referred to three other times in Scripture (Ezek. 1:27, 28; Rev.
4:1-3; 10:1).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Rainbow \Rain"bow`\, n. [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen.
See {Rain}, and {Bow} anything bent,]
A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several
colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the
hemisphere opposite to the sun by the refraction and
reflection of the sun's rays in drops of falling rain.
Note: Besides the ordinary bow, called also primary rainbow,
which is formed by two refractions and one reflection,
there is also another often seen exterior to it, called
the secondary rainbow, concentric with the first, and
separated from it by a small interval. It is formed by
two refractions and two reflections, is much fainter
than the primary bow, and has its colors arranged in
the reverse order from those of the latter.
{Lunar rainbow}, a fainter arch or rainbow, formed by the
moon.
{Marine rainbow}, or {Sea bow}, a similar bow seen in the
spray of waves at sea.
{Rainbow trout} (Zo["o]l.), a bright-colored trout
({Salmoirideus}), native of the mountains of California,
but now extensively introduced into the Eastern States.
Japan, and other countries; -- called also {brook trout},
{mountain trout}, and {golden trout}.
{Rainbow wrasse}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Wrasse}.
{Supernumerary rainbow}, a smaller bow, usually of red and
green colors only, sometimes seen within the primary or
without the secondary rainbow, and in contact with them.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
rainbow
n 1: an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of
the sun's rays by rain
2: an illusory hope; "chasing rainbows"
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