nova
[ noh-vuh ]
/ ˈnoʊ və /
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noun, plural no·vas, no·vae [noh-vee]. /ˈnoʊ vi/. Astronomy.
a star that suddenly becomes thousands of times brighter and then gradually fades to its original intensity.
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Compare supernova.
Origin of nova
1680–90; <New Latin: noun use of feminine of Latin novusnew
OTHER WORDS FROM nova
no·va·like, adjectiveWords nearby nova
Definition for nova (2 of 2)
Nova
[ noh-vuh ]
/ ˈnoʊ və /
noun
Also called Nova Salmon. a Pacific salmon cured in the style of Nova Scotia salmon.
(lowercase) (loosely) any smoked salmon.
Compare Nova Scotia salmon.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for nova
British Dictionary definitions for nova
nova
/ (ˈnəʊvə) /
noun plural -vae (-viː) or -vas
a variable star that undergoes a cataclysmic eruption, observed as a sudden large increase in brightness with a subsequent decline over months or years; it is a close binary system with one component a white dwarfCompare supernova
Word Origin for nova
C19: New Latin nova (stella) new (star), from Latin novus new
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for nova
nova
[ nō′və ]
Plural novae (nō′vē) novas
A white dwarf star that suddenly and temporarily becomes extremely bright as a result of the explosion at its surface of material accreted from an expanding companion star. The material, mostly hydrogen and helium, is attracted by the white dwarf's gravity and accumulates under growing pressure and heat until nuclear fusion is ignited. Unlike a supernova, a nova is not blown apart by the explosion and gradually returns to its original brightness over a period of weeks to years. Because of their sudden appearance where no star had been previously visible, novae were long thought to be new stars. Since 1925, novae have been classified as variable stars. Compare supernova.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for nova
nova
[ (noh-vuh) ]
In astronomy, the appearance of a new star in the sky (nova is Latin for “new”). Novae are usually associated with the last stages in the life of a star. (See supernova.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.