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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 calledthe Pole Starthe 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
    1. a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine
    2. ( as modifier )

      a Polaris submarine



Polaris

/ pə-lărĭs /

  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.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris1

shortened from Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star

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Example Sentences

I am pleased to announce our work in partnership with two human-rights groups there: the AHA Foundation and the Polaris Project.

Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a venture-capital firm.

Larry Kramer is senior advisor at Polaris Venture Partners, a national venture-capital firm.

Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a national venture capital firm.

Scattered through it are patches of Stilbocarpa polaris, locally known as Maori cabbage.

We were thinking of going out to see what Antares, Betelguese, or Polaris looked like at close range.

In addition to its regular name, α Urs Minoris is frequently called by the special name Polaris, or the pole star.

Upon some clear and moonless night point the camera, properly focused, at Polaris, and expose a plate for three or four hours.

June and November are convenient months for this exercise, since Polaris then comes to culmination early in the evening.

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