Ursa Minor

[ ur-suh-mahy-ner ]

/ ˈɜr sə ˈmaɪ nər /

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noun, genitive Ur·sae Mi·nor·is

[ur-see mi-nawr-is, -nohr-]. /ˈɜr si mɪˈnɔr ɪs, -ˈnoʊr-/. Astronomy.

the Little or Lesser Bear, the northernmost constellation, containing the stars that form the Little Dipper, the outermost of which, at the end of the handle, is Polaris.

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Origin of Ursa Minor

First recorded in 1590–1600

Words nearby Ursa Minor

uroscopy, urostyle, Urquhart, Urquhart Castle, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, ursid, Ursids, ursiform, ursine, ursine dasyure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Ursa Minor in a sentence

Many of those who have become cops in New York seem to have ceased to address such minor offenses over the past few days.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A couple of people were treated for minor injuries but no major incidents occurred.
Slow Motion Tiger Jump, a Tornado at the Rose Bowl and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The numbers reinforce another article in the Post, in which cops confessed to “turning a blind eye” to minor crimes.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It starts off like any other Lana tune, replete with minor chords and humming, distorted vocals.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More|Marlow Stern|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A few minor notes, born of reflection: Traditionally, the best columns are dominated by politics—its most popular topic.
The Best Columns of 2014|John Avlon, Errol Louis|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Three days later he was in Switzerland, and a few days later again he was on the summit of a minor but still difficult peak.
Uncanny Tales|Various
The 'whole' of him that now dealt with Lettice was far above all minor and partial means of knowing.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Barton Booth died; a celebrated tragedian in the reign of queen Anne, author of some songs and minor pieces.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Even a minor dislocation breaks down a certain part of the machinery of society.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
When she struck the chord of G minor, it was the right preparation, and brought you immediately into the mood for what followed.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for Ursa Minor

Ursa Minor

/ (ˈɜːsə ˈmaɪnə) /

noun Latin genitive Ursae Minoris (ˈɜːsiː mɪˈnɔːrɪs)

a small faint constellation, the brightest star of which is the Pole Star, lying 1° from the true celestial poleAlso called: the Little Bear, the Bear, (US and Canadian) the Little Dipper

Word Origin for Ursa Minor

Latin: lesser bear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for Ursa Minor

Ursa Minor

A ladle-shaped constellation very near the north celestial pole. Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear) contains the seven stars that form the Little Dipper. Polaris, the North Star, is at the end of the dipper's handle.

Cultural definitions for Ursa Minor

Ursa Minor

The Little Bear or Little Dipper; the constellation that contains the North Star (Polaris).