Astronomer Royal
noun
the chief astronomer of England, appointed by the British Crown.
the chief astronomer of Scotland, director of the Royal Edinburgh Observatory.
Origin of Astronomer Royal
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example sentences from the Web for astronomer royal
British Dictionary definitions for astronomer royal
Astronomer Royal
noun
an honorary title awarded to an eminent British astronomer: until 1972, the Astronomer Royal was also director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory