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.

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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.

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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

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Algol ² British  

/ ˈælɡɒl /

noun

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

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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

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

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

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

Algol is one of the most conspicuous of these variable stars, as they are called.

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.