Cepheid

[ sē′fē-ĭd, sĕf′ē- ]

Save This Word!

Any of a class of variable stars whose luminosity fluctuates with an extremely regular period. There is a strong correlation between the absolute magnitude of a Cepheid's luminosity and its period. By comparing the apparent magnitude of a Cepheid to the absolute magnitude corresponding to its period, it is possible to determine fairly accurately how distant the Cepheid is from Earth. Also called Cepheid variable

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby Cepheid

cephalosporin, cephalothorax, cephalous, Cephalus, -cephaly, Cepheid, Cepheid variable, Cepheus, 'cept, cer-, cera

How to use Cepheid in a sentence

The "Cepheid," her sister ship, had gone along on seven of the trips, and added to the total.
The Ultimate Weapon|John Wood Campbell
They started down the corridor, and came presently to the huge locks where the "S Doradus" and the "Cepheid" were berthed.
The Ultimate Weapon|John Wood Campbell
Shapley has estimated the distances of many of these bodies, which contain a large number of variable stars of the Cepheid type.
Astronomy|David Todd
Some stars pulsed, like the Cepheid variables, but in an orderly way.
The Egyptian Cat Mystery|Harold Leland Goodwin

And then for an instant, the Cepheid's bright wink was dulled; eclipsed.
The Women-Stealers of Thrayx|Fox B. Holden