[poh-lair-is, -lar-, puh-] 
| 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. |
[puh-lahr-ee, paw-] | a distinctive English argot in use since at least the 18th century among groups of theatrical and circus performers and in certain homosexual communities, derived largely from Italian, directly or through Lingua Franca. |
| Po·lar·is (pə-lār'ĭs) n. A star of the second magnitude, at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper and almost at the north celestial pole. Also called North Star, polar star, polestar. [New Latin (Stēlla) Polāris, polar (star), from Latin polus, pole; see pole1.] |
| Polaris (pə-lār'ĭs) Pronunciation Key
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. |