nova
Pronunciation: /ˈnəʊvə/
Definition of nova
noun ( plural novae /-viː/ or novas)
Astronomy- a star showing a sudden large increase in brightness and then slowly returning to its original state over a few months. See also supernova.
Origin:
late 19th century: from Latin, feminine of novus 'new' (because such stars were thought to be newly formed)