Polaris

(pō laris)

noun

a binary Cepheid variable, the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor; North Star; Pole Star: magnitude, 1.95 to 2.05: used for navigation, since it is the closest star to the north celestial pole and remains nearly stationary throughout the night

Origin: ModL < ML (stella) polaris, polar (star): see pole

See Polaris in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
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.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin (Stēlla) Polāris, polar (star)

Origin: , from Latin polus, pole; see pole1

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