Polaris

[poh-lair-is, -lar-, puh-]

noun

1. Astronomy.,  the polestar or North Star, a star of the second magnitude situated close to the north pole of the heavens, in the constellation Ursa Minor: the outermost star in the handle of the Little Dipper.

2. a two-stage U.S. ballistic missile, usually fired from a submerged submarine.

Polaris

/ pəˈlɑːrɪs /

noun

1. Also called: the Pole Star.  the North Star. the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, situated slightly less than 1° from the north celestial pole. It is a Cepheid variable, with a period of four days. Visual magnitude: 2.08–2.17; spectral type: F8Ib

2. 1. a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Polaris submarine

Polaris

1. A bright star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Polaris is 1° from the north celestial pole, and it remains in the same location in the sky all year, making it a useful navigation tool. Polaris is actually a double star with a faint companion star and has an apparent magnitude of 2.04. Also called North Star. Scientific name: Alpha Ursae Minoris.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris¹

1955–60; short for Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star

Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris¹

shortened from Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star