Algol

¹ American  

[al-gol, -gawl] / ˈæl gɒl, -gɔl /

noun

1. a star of the second magnitude in the constellation Perseus: the first known and most famous eclipsing binary star.

---

ALGOL ² American  

[al-gol, -gawl] / ˈæl gɒl, -gɔl /

Computers.

1. a computer language in which information is expressed in algebraic notation and according to the rules of Boolean algebra.

---

Algol ¹ British  

/ ˈælɡɒl /

noun

1. the second brightest star in Perseus, the first known eclipsing binary. Visual magnitude: 2.2–3.5; period: 68.8 hours; spectral type (brighter component): B8V

---

Algol ² British  

/ ˈælɡɒl /

noun

1. a computer programming language designed for mathematical and scientific purposes; a high-level language

---

Etymology

Origin of Algol¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Arabic, equivalent to al the + ghūl ghoul; as translation of Greek (Ptolemy) gorgónion the head of the Gorgon Medusa, held by Perseus

Origin of ALGOL²

1955–60; algo(rithmic) l(anguage)

Example Sentences

The discovery that Algol is a spectroscopic binary verified Goodricke’s hypothesis.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

Normally, Algol is a fairly bright star, but at intervals of 2 days, 20 hours, 49 minutes, it fades to one-third of its regular brightness.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

This all followed the exquisite experience of learning Algol using punch cards through the Michigan Terminal System running on Amdahl computers.

From Forbes • Nov. 30, 2014

They also measured the changing light of stars such as Algol, and speculated that the regular dimming of Algol's light might have been caused by eclipses due to a "dark body," perhaps even a planet.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2012

Leaning on the captain's brawny arm, Miss Anspacher ploughed through the mud to the ship, followed by the mosquito-bat and Algol, who had been toasting themselves more or less companionably at the fire.

From Collector's Item by Smith, Evelyn E.