Dubhe

/ˈduːbi/ noun

Definition

The brightest star in the constellation Ursa Major (the Big Dipper), also known as Alpha Ursae Majoris.

Etymology

From Arabic 'dhubah' meaning 'back' or 'back of the lion,' since in Arabic star lore this star represented the back of a lion constellation. The name was Latinized into European star catalogs.

Kelly Says

Dubhe is an orange giant star over 300 times brighter than our Sun and 64 light-years away—yet it's been a navigation marker for countless sailors and travelers because it never sets below the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.