Hesperus

/ˈhɛspərəs/ noun

Definition

In Greek mythology and astronomy, the evening star (the planet Venus when visible after sunset).

Etymology

From Greek Hesperus, meaning 'western.' Related to Indo-European *spe- (to extend/stretch). The star appears in the western sky at evening.

Kelly Says

Hesperus is why we have 'western' in so many languages—ancient people watched Venus appear in the west each evening and named it 'the western one,' and that root word spread across Europe!

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