castor

¹ American  

[kas-ter, kah-ster] / ˈkæs tər, ˈkɑ stər /

noun

1. Also a brownish, unctuous substance with a strong, penetrating odor, secreted by certain glands in the groin of the beaver, used in medicine and perfumery.

2. a hat made of beaver or rabbit fur.

3. a heavy woolen cloth used mainly for coats.

4. a beaver.

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Castor ² American  

[kas-ter, kah-ster] / ˈkæs tər, ˈkɑ stər /

noun

Astronomy.

1. a star of the second magnitude in the constellation Gemini, the more northerly of the two bright stars in this constellation.

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Castor ¹ British  

/ ˈkɑːstə /

noun

1. the second brightest star, Alpha Geminorum, in the constellation Gemini: a multiple star consisting of six components lying close to the star Pollux. Distance: 52 light years

2. classical myth See Castor and Pollux

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castor ² British  

/ ˈkɑːstə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of caster caster

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castor ³ British  

/ ˈkɑːstə /

noun

1. the brownish aromatic secretion of the anal glands of a beaver, used in perfumery and medicine

2. the fur of the beaver

3. a hat made of beaver or similar fur

4. a less common name for beaver 1

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Castor Scientific  

/ kăs′tər /

1. A bright multiple star in the constellation Gemini, with a combined apparent magnitude of 0.08. Scientific name: Alpha Geminorum.

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Etymology

Origin of castor¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek kástōr beaver

Origin of Castor¹

Named after Castor; Castor and Pollux

Example Sentences

“Measuring spoons, castor oil—blech!—a large cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid, moldy apples, goose fat, rinds of cheese...”

From Literature

India mainly exports rice, shrimp, honey, vegetable extracts, castor oil and black pepper, while the US sends almonds, walnuts, pistachios, apples and lentils.

From BBC

The invasive species they brought — like black mustard, tree tobacco and castor bean — slowly crept into the ecosystem.

From Los Angeles Times

“Those, over there, are actually castor bean stalks,” Kleckner said as we zoomed past.

From Los Angeles Times

Ricin is a highly toxic poison naturally derived from castor oil plants.

From BBC