Capella

[ kuh-pel-uh ]

noun

1. Astronomy. a first-magnitude star in the constellation Auriga.

Capella

/ kəˈpɛlə /

noun

1. the brightest star in the constellation Auriga; it is a yellow giant and a spectroscopic binary. Visual magnitude: 0.08; spectral type: G6III and G2III; distance: 42 light years

Capella

/ kə-pĕl′ə /

1. A binary star in the constellation Auriga. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, with an apparent magnitude of 0.08. Scientifc name: Alpha Auriga.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capella¹

1675–85; < Latin: literally, she-goat, equivalent to cap ( ra ) she-goat + -ella diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capella¹

C17: New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of capra she-goat, from caper goat

Example Sentences

Initially spread across the stage, Nadine, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh slowly moved towards each other before singing the last chorus a capella, harmonising with their late friend while holding hands.

From BBC

Following the band’s apology but before its tour cancellation, Emmy-nominated actor Walton Goggins on Sunday threw his hat in the ring with an a capella version of “Jane Says” posted on his Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

She even took requests, singing a capella renditions of Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi, Got To Be Certain and I Should Be So Lucky, backed by an audience of 65,000 fans.

From BBC

Jardine gets emotional in the film when he talks about the boys auditioning a capella for his mother, singing her a Four Freshmen tune and the first Beach Boys original, “Surfin,” so they could buy instruments and become a real band.

From Seattle Times

“It’s hard to believe that this whole thing started when I was was about 14 or 15 years old and I did my very first performance in front of an audience ... where I sang ‘White Christmas’ a capella,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times