Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In astronomy, the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Astron.) The constellation Ursa Major.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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The Great Bear circled in those days much more closely round the pole than it now does; its typical northern character survives in the Latin word septentrio (from septem triones, the seven stars of the Wain); and Schiaparelli concludes from the dual form of mezarim, that the Jews, like the Phoenicians, were acquainted with the Little, as well as with the Great, Bear.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913
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The cardinal directions on Publicius's mnemonic diagram include septentrio, ortus, meridies, and occasus.
Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008
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[137] The four quarters of the universe are ortus, occasus, aquilo, septentrio; one of these last must mean the south.
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The spirit answered, "My name is as thou sayest, Mephistophiles, and I am a prince, but a servant to Lucifer, and all the circuit from septentrio to the meridian, I rule under him."
Mediaeval Tales Henry Morley 1858
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Dampieri juxta oram septentrio-occidentalem Novae Hollandiae in itinere navis Beagle dictae lectas.
Expedition into Central Australia Charles Sturt 1832
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