alkaid

English - English

Definition of alkaid in English English dictionary

A star in the constellation of Ursa Major, the east-most star of the Plough

Synonyms

eta ursae majoris, benetnash

Etymology

() From Arabic القائد البنات النعش (al-qā’id al-banāt an-na‘sh) ‘the leader of the girls at the bier’, from قائد ‘leader’ + بنات plural of بنت ‘girl’ + نعش ‘bier’. With reference to the mourners at the funeral of Calypso (who became the Great Bear).