Definitions for ursa majorˈɜr sə ˈmeɪ dʒər; ˈɜr si məˈdʒɔr ɪs, -ˈdʒoʊr-

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word ursa major

Princeton's WordNet

  1. Great Bear, Ursa Major(noun)

    a constellation outside the zodiac that rotates around the North Star


  1. Ursa Major(ProperNoun)

    A large circumpolar constellation of the northern sky, said to resemble a bear. It includes the familiar asterism the Big Dipper and the stars Mizar, Dubhe, and Alkaid.

  2. Origin: From ursa maior, the "greater bear"


  1. Ursa Major

    Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. It can best be seen in April. It is dominated by the widely recognized asterism known as the Big Dipper or Plough, which is a useful pointer toward north, and which has mythological significance in numerous world cultures.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Ursa Major

    the Greater Bear, a well-known constellation in the northern hemisphere, called also the Plough, the Wagon, or Charles's Wain, consists of seven bright stars, among others three of which are known as the "handle" of the Plough, and two as the pointers, so called as pointing to the pole-star.


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