Polaris
[ poh-lair-is, -lar-, puh- ]
/ poʊˈlɛər ɪs, -ˈlær-, pə- /
noun
Astronomy.
the polestar or North Star, a star of the second magnitude situated close to the north pole of the heavens, in the constellation Ursa Minor: the outermost star in the handle of the Little Dipper.
a two-stage U.S. ballistic missile, usually fired from a submerged submarine.
Origin of Polaris
1955–60; short for Medieval Latin
stella polāris polar star
Definition for polaris (2 of 2)
Polari
[ puh-lahr-ee, paw- ]
/ pəˈlɑr i, pɔ- /
noun
a distinctive English argot in use since at least the 18th century among groups of theatrical and circus performers and in certain homosexual communities, derived largely from Italian, directly or through Lingua Franca.
Origin of Polari
ultimately < Italian
parlare to speak, talk; see
parle
Example sentences from the Web for polaris
British Dictionary definitions for polaris (1 of 2)
Polaris
/ (pəˈlɑːrɪs) /
noun
Also called: the Pole Star, the North Star
the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, situated slightly less than 1° from the north celestial pole. It is a Cepheid variable, with a period of four days. Visual magnitude: 2.08–2.17; spectral type: F8Ib
- a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine
- (as modifier)a Polaris submarine
Word Origin for Polaris
shortened from Medieval Latin
stella polāris polar star
British Dictionary definitions for polaris (2 of 2)
Polari
Parlyaree (pɑːˈljɑːrɪ)
/ (pəˈlɑːrɪ) /
noun
an English slang that is derived from the Lingua Franca of Mediterranean ports; brought to England by sailors from the 16th century onwards. A few words survive, esp in male homosexual slang
Word Origin for Polari
C19: from Italian
parlare to speak
Scientific definitions for polaris
Polaris
[ pə-lăr′ĭs ]
A bright star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Polaris is 1° from the north celestial pole, and it remains in the same location in the sky all year, making it a useful navigation tool. Polaris is actually a double star with a faint companion star and has an apparent magnitude of 2.04. Also called North Star. Scientific name: Alpha Ursae Minoris.