spica

[ spahy-kuh ]

noun

, plural spi·cae [spahy, -see], spi·cas

1. spike ².
2. a type of bandage in the shape of a figure eight, extending from an extremity to the trunk.
3. Spica, Astronomy. a first-magnitude star in the constellation Virgo.

Spica

¹

/ ˈspiːkə /

noun

1. the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Distance: 260 light years

spica

²

/ ˈspaɪkə /

noun

1. med a spiral bandage formed by a series of overlapping figure-of-eight turns
2. botany another word for spike 2

Spica

/ spī′kə /

1. A bright bluish-white binary star in the constellation Virgo, with an apparent magnitude of 0.96. Scientific name: Alpha Virginis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spica¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin spīca literally, “ear of grain”; spike ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of spica¹

C15: from Latin: ear of corn

Example Sentences

He played the violent gangster Albert Spica in Peter Greenaway's dark crime comedy The Cook, the Thief. his Wife & her Lover in 1989, and throughout the 1990s there were a number of other leading film roles.

From BBC

On the evening of May 3, the nearly-full Moon passes just to the north of the bright star Spica.

From Washington Post

Another way to assure that the show recreates the wondrous, kinetic excitement the best K-pop acts generate was to hire performers who had spent time in the trenches and could share their experience: In addition to Luna, the cast includes BoHyung, a former member of the girl group Spica; Min, formerly of Miss A; and Kevin Woo, once in U-KISS.

From New York Times

That’s a star named Spica that belongs to the Virgo constellation.

From Seattle Times

Stargazers in the Western Hemisphere will be able to enjoy the sight of Venus in conjunction with Spica on Sept. 5, according to EarthSky.

From Seattle Times