Polaris

Po·lar·is  (p-lrs)

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.

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[New Latin (Stlla) Polris, polar (star), from Latin polus, pole; see pole¹.]

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Polaris [pəˈlɑːrɪs]

n

1. (Astronomy & Space / Celestial Objects) Also called the Pole Star the 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

2. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery)

a.  a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine

b.  (as modifier) a Polaris submarine

[shortened from Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star]

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Polaris  (p-lrs)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Polaris - the brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it North Star, polar star, pole star, polestar Little Bear, Ursa Minor - a constellation outside the zodiac that rotates around the North Star Little Dipper, Dipper - a cluster of seven stars in Ursa Minor; at the end of the dipper's handle is Polaris