variable star in the constellation Perseus, 1390, lit. "the Demon," from Arabic
al-ghul "the demon." It corresponds, in modern representations, to the gorgon's head Perseus is holding, but it probably was so called for its periodic visible dimming, which sets it apart from other bright stars. The computer language (1959) is a contraction of
algo(rithmic) l(anguage) (see
algorithm).