Lexic.us

Definition of Pole Star

1. Noun. The brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it.

Definition of Pole Star

1. Proper noun. (star) The star nearest to Earth's axis when extended above the North Pole: currently Polaris, formerly Thuban. ¹

2. Noun. (star) The star nearest a celestial pole of a planet. ¹

3. Noun. A guide or guiding principle. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pole Star

Literary usage of Pole Star

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. St. Nicholas by Mary Mapes Dodge (1877)
"The first step toward a knowledge of the stars should be the recognition of the pole-star, because the pole of the heavens being the point round which all ..."

2. An Introduction to Astronomy by Forest Ray Moulton (1916)
"Finding the Pole Star. — The first step to be taken in finding the ... It is defined closely enough for present purposes by the position of the pole star ..."

3. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1880)
"Finding the Pole Star.—First look for Ursa Major, the Great Benr (toward the north-west), and you cannot miss the familiar set of seven bright stars of the ..."

4. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"The oldest of all nautical observations is that of taking the height of the pole-star,—-a star which everybody should know whether at sea or on shore. ..."

5. Handbook of Nature-study for Teachers and Parents: Based on the Cornell by Anna Botsford Comstock (1911)
"The Pole-star cannot be seen from the southern hemisphere; ... The Big Dipper points towards the Pole-star, and to us seems to revolve around it every ..."

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