Alcor

[ al-kawr ]

Astronomy.

1. a star, the fifth-magnitude companion of Mizar in the handle of the Big Dipper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Alcor¹

Perhaps < Arabic al-khawr the low ground

Example Sentences

Though it was the longtime leader in cryonics, Alcor was still a small nonprofit.

From MIT Technology Review

To be able to see Alcor with the naked eye means that one has excellent eyesight.

From Project Gutenberg

A person with good eyesight can see quite near to it a fifth magnitude star, known under the name of Alcor.

From Project Gutenberg

Alcor is indeed distant from Mizar by about one-third the apparent diameter of the moon, yet no one would think so!

From Project Gutenberg

The naked eye perceives near it a smaller star, named Alcor.

From Project Gutenberg

Just above it is a very small star that astronomers call Alcor, or the rider.

From Project Gutenberg