Algol

¹ American  

[al-gol, -gawl] / ˈæl gɒl, -gɔl /

noun

1. a star of the second magnitude in the constellation Perseus: the first known and most famous eclipsing binary star.

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ALGOL ² American  

[al-gol, -gawl] / ˈæl gɒl, -gɔl /

Computers.

1. a computer language in which information is expressed in algebraic notation and according to the rules of Boolean algebra.

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Algol ¹ British  

/ ˈælɡɒl /

noun

1. the second brightest star in Perseus, the first known eclipsing binary. Visual magnitude: 2.2–3.5; period: 68.8 hours; spectral type (brighter component): B8V

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Algol ² British  

/ ˈælɡɒl /

noun

1. a computer programming language designed for mathematical and scientific purposes; a high-level language

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Etymology

Origin of Algol¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Arabic, equivalent to al the + ghūl ghoul; as translation of Greek (Ptolemy) gorgónion the head of the Gorgon Medusa, held by Perseus

Origin of ALGOL²

1955–60; algo(rithmic) l(anguage)

Example Sentences

The eclipsing binary Algol drops from maximum to minimum brightness in about 4 hours, remains at minimum brightness for 20 minutes, and then takes another 4 hours to return to maximum brightness.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

Normally, Algol is a fairly bright star, but at intervals of 2 days, 20 hours, 49 minutes, it fades to one-third of its regular brightness.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

This all followed the exquisite experience of learning Algol using punch cards through the Michigan Terminal System running on Amdahl computers.

From Forbes • Nov. 30, 2014

They also measured the changing light of stars such as Algol, and speculated that the regular dimming of Algol's light might have been caused by eclipses due to a "dark body," perhaps even a planet.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2012

The gravitation of this dark companion displaces Algol itself alternately toward and from the earth, because the two bodies revolve round their common center of gravity.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck