See Also: gegenschein(dictionary)
gegenschein(encyclopedia)

merino (iou) and gegenschein (sh)


merino (iou)



merino noun & adjective. Pl. of noun -os. L18.
[Spanish, of unkn. origin.]
(Designating or pertaining to) a breed of sheep prized for the fineness of its wool, originating in Spain; (designating) a sheep of this breed. L18.
b. pure merino, (a) an early immigrant to Australia with no convict origins, a member of a leading family in Australian society, a person of fine breeding or good character; (b) attrib. first-class, well-bred, excellent. Austral. slang. E19.
(Of) a soft fine material resembling cashmere, made of wool (orig. merino wool) or wool and cotton. E19.
b. A garment, esp. a dress or shawl, made of this; W. Indies a vest. M19.
(Of) a fine woollen yarn used in the manufacture of hosiery and knitwear. L19.

gegenschein (sh)




or counterglow

Oval patch of faint light exactly opposite the Sun in the night sky, so faint it can be seen only in the absence of moonlight, away from city lights, with the eyes adapted to darkness.

It is lost in the light of the Milky Way except in February, March, April, August, September, and October. The gegenschein and the zodiacal light form the most notable parts of a band of very faint light along the ecliptic. Both phenomena are thought to be the result of the reflection of sunlight from interplanetary dust grains.