Septentrion Definition

Origin of Septentrion

• Middle English from Old French from Latin septentriōnēs seven plow oxen, the seven principal stars of Ursa Major or Ursa Minor septem seven septm̥ in Indo-European roots triōnēs (pl. of triō triōn- plow ox terə-¹ in Indo-European roots)

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

• Latin septentrio the northern regions, the north, from septentriones the seven stars near the north pole, called Charles's Wain, or the Great Bear, also those called the Little Bear; properly, the seven plow oxen; septem seven + trio, originally a plow ox: compare French septentrion.

  From Wiktionary