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Polaris

Syllabification: (Po·lar·is)
Pronunciation: /pəˈlarəs/

Definition of Polaris
  • 1 Astronomy a fairly bright star located within one degree of the north celestial pole, in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is a triple star, the bright component of which is a cepheid variable. Also called North Star, polestar.
  • 2a type of submarine-launched ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads, formerly in service with the US and British navies.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from medieval Latin polaris 'heavenly', from Latin polus 'end of an axis'

Polaris in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of Polaris in the British & World English dictionary
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