parhelion means synonym of sun dog (“a bright spot in the sky, usually one of two on the parhelic circle on both sides of the sun (or occasionally above and below it), caused by the refraction of the sun's image through ice crystals”). Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
parhelion is pronounced /pɑːˈhiː.lɪ.ən/.
Why “parhelion” is a great word
PARHELION — [Noun] A bright spot appearing on the parhelic circle on one or both sides of the sun, caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere. From Latin parelion, from Ancient Greek παρήλιον (parḗlion), from παρά (pará, "beside") + ἥλιος (hḗlios, "sun"). First recorded in English use 1640–50. Unlike a "halo" (a continuous, diffuse ring encircling the sun) or a "mirage" (a wavering, horizontal distortion of a distant object), a parhelion is a precise, spectral twin—a ghost sun fixed in its cold celestial geometry. It is the chill glint of hexagonal ice in high cirrus, a brilliant misplaced jewel on a pale celestial ring, a silent counterfeit burning with borrowed fire. The heavens hold a brief congress of twins, a quiet reminder that even the most singular truths can cast a duplicate.
Etymology
From Latin parelion, from Ancient Greek παρήλιον (parḗlion), from παρά (pará) + ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”).
noun
- Synonym of sun dog (“a bright spot in the sky, usually one of two on the parhelic circle on both sides of the sun (or occasionally above and below it), caused by the refraction of the sun's image through ice crystals”).
- An image or reflection.“The short (166 lines) Canto One, with all those amusing birds and parhelia, occupies thirteen cards.”