Lodestar definition
A star, such as Polaris, that is used as a point of navigational reference.
noun
A guiding principle or ideal.
noun
A star, especially Polaris, that is used as a point of reference.
A principle, interest, or person that serves as a guide.
noun
A star by which one directs one's course; esp., the North Star.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
lodestar
Plural:
lodestarsOrigin of lodestar
-
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From lode (“journey, course") +"Ž star, where lode is an archaic noun from the verb lithe (“to go, journey"), related to lead. Cognate with Old Norse leiðarstjarna, German Leitstern, Swedish ledstjärna. English from the 14th century as loode sterre, lood-sterre, lade-sterne, 15th century lode sterre, 16th century lode starre.
From Wiktionary