spica
[ spahy-kuh ]
/ ˈspaɪ kə /
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noun, plural spi·cae [spahy-see], /ˈspaɪ si/, spi·cas for 1, 2.
a type of bandage in the shape of a figure eight, extending from an extremity to the trunk.
(initial capital letter)Astronomy. a first-magnitude star in the constellation Virgo.
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Origin of spica
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin spīca literally, ear of grain; cf. spike2
Words nearby spica
sphygmus, Sphynx, sphyrectomy, sphyrotomy, spic, spica, spica bandage, spicate, spiccato, spice, spiceberry
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for spica
British Dictionary definitions for spica (1 of 2)
spica
/ (ˈspaɪkə) /
noun plural -cae (-siː) or -cas
med a spiral bandage formed by a series of overlapping figure-of-eight turns
botany another word for spike 2 (def. 1)
Word Origin for spica
C15: from Latin: ear of corn
British Dictionary definitions for spica (2 of 2)
Spica
/ (ˈspiːkə) /
noun
the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Distance: 260 light years
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for spica
Spica
[ spī′kə ]
A bright bluish-white binary star in the constellation Virgo, with an apparent magnitude of 0.96. Scientific name: Alpha Virginis.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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