TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
PRIMARY BOW [1 record]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2017-05-11
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- primary rainbow
1, record 1, English, primary%20rainbow
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- primary bow 2, record 1, English, primary%20bow
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The brightest and most often observed rainbow; violet is on the inside with a radius of 40° and red is on the outside with a radius of 42°. 3, record 1, English, - primary%20rainbow
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Double rainbows are fairly common. ... the primary rainbow appears opposite the sun at an angular distance of about 42 degrees from the antisolar point. The primary bow is the result of a refraction as a ray of sunlight enters the drop, one internal reflection off the back of the drop, and a second refraction as the ray exits the drop. The geometry for the secondary bow is similar except that there are two internal reflections inside the drop. This geometry results in the appearance of the secondary rainbow at an angular distance of about 51 degrees, outside the primary bow. 2, record 1, English, - primary%20rainbow
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- arc-en-ciel principal
1, record 1, French, arc%2Den%2Dciel%20principal
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- premier arc 2, record 1, French, premier%20arc
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Arc-en-ciel le plus souvent observé et le plus brillant, ayant le violet à l'intérieur avec un rayon de 40°, et le rouge à l'extérieur avec un rayon de 42°. 3, record 1, French, - arc%2Den%2Dciel%20principal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
arc-en-ciel principal [...] L'arc coloré est situé à l'opposé de l'astre qui lui donne naissance et son centre se trouve sur le prolongement de la ligne joignant l'astre à l'œil de l'observateur. Ceci explique qu'un arc-en-ciel puisse former un anneau complet lorsque l'observateur se trouve au sommet d'une tour élevée ou en aéronef. 4, record 1, French, - arc%2Den%2Dciel%20principal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 CONT
[...] le second arc-en-ciel» qui apparaît parfois autour du premier [...] est moins lumineux que le premier car, à chaque réflexion , une partie de l'énergie est perdue par réfraction : celle qui a été perdue à la deuxième réflexion est celle-là même qui a donné naissance au premier arc. 2, record 1, French, - arc%2Den%2Dciel%20principal
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- arco iris primario
1, record 1, Spanish, arco%20iris%20primario
masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
El arco iris observado con más frecuencia y más brillante; el violeta está en el interior, con un radio de 40°, y el rojo en el exterior, con un radio de 42°. 1, record 1, Spanish, - arco%20iris%20primario
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: