Cepheus

[ see-fee-uhs, -fyoos ]

noun,genitive Ce·phe·i [see-fee-ahy] /ˈsi fiˌaɪ/ for 1.
  1. Astronomy. a northern circumpolar constellation between Cassiopeia and Draco.

  2. Also Kepheus. Classical Mythology. an Ethiopian king, the husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda.

Other words from Cepheus

  • Ce·phe·id [see-fee-id], /ˈsi fi ɪd/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Cepheus in a sentence

  • If you have a good field-glass, try its powers upon the star Delta (δ) Cephei.

    Astronomy with an Opera-glass | Garrett Putman Serviss
  • The clue seems to be in the name Cephy, representing Cephei gen. case of Cepheus.

  • The pole star lies nearly in a line joining the brighter stars α Cephei and α Cygni.

  • The star β Cephei has recently been discovered to be a spectroscopic binary with the wonderfully short period of 4h 34m 11s.

    Astronomical Curiosities | J. Ellard Gore
  • Alpha Cephei, the brightest star in the group, marks The King's right shoulder.

    Astronomy for Young Folks | Isabel Martin Lewis

British Dictionary definitions for Cepheus (1 of 2)

Cepheus1

/ (ˈsiːfjuːs) /


nounLatin genitive Cephei (ˈsiːfɪˌaɪ)
  1. a faint constellation in the N hemisphere near Cassiopeia and the Pole Star: See also Cepheid variable

Origin of Cepheus

1
from Latin Cēpheus named after the mythical king

British Dictionary definitions for Cepheus (2 of 2)

Cepheus2

/ (ˈsiːfjuːs) /


noun
  1. Greek myth a king of Ethiopia, father of Andromeda and husband of Cassiopeia

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 Cepheus

Cepheus

[ fyōōs′, -fē-əs ]


  1. A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Cassiopeia and Draco.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.