Betelgeuse
or Be·tel·geux
[ beet-l-jooz, bet-l-jœz ]
/ ˈbit lˌdʒuz, ˈbɛt lˌdʒœz /
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noun Astronomy.
a first-magnitude red supergiant in the constellation Orion.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of Betelgeuse
1790–1800; <French <Arabic bīt al jauzāʾ shoulder of the giant (i.e., of Orion)
Words nearby Betelgeuse
beta version, beta wave, betaxolol hydrochloride, betazole, betel, Betelgeuse, betel nut, betel palm, bête noire, beth, bethanechol
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse
Betelgeux
/ (ˌbiːtəlˈdʒɜːz, ˈbiːtəlˌdʒɜːz) /
noun
a very remote luminous red supergiant, Alpha Orionis: the second brightest star in the constellation Orion. It is a variable star
Word Origin for Betelgeuse
C18: from French, from Arabic bīt al-jauzā' literally: shoulder of the giant, that is, of Orion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse
[ bēt′l-jōōz′ ]
A red supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is a variable star with a brightest apparent magnitude of 0.5. Scientific name: Alpha Orionis. See Note at Rigel.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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