Ursa Minor

[ ur-suh mahy-ner ]

noun

, Astronomy.

, genitive Ur·sae Mi·nor·is [ur, -see mi-, nawr, -is, -, nohr, -].

1. the Little or Lesser Bear, the northernmost constellation, containing the stars that form the Little Dipper, the outermost of which, at the end of the handle, is Polaris.

Ursa Minor

/ ˈɜːsə ˈmaɪnə /

noun

1. a small faint constellation, the brightest star of which is the Pole Star, lying 1° from the true celestial pole Also calledthe Little Bearthe BearUS and Canadianthe Little Dipper

Ursa Minor

1. A ladle-shaped constellation very near the north celestial pole. Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear) contains the seven stars that form the Little Dipper. Polaris, the North Star, is at the end of the dipper's handle.

Ursa Minor

1. The Little Bear or Little Dipper; the constellation that contains the North Star ( Polaris ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ursa Minor¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ursa Minor¹

Latin: lesser bear

Example Sentences

News traveled fast, and even the Ursa Minor girls had come over to take a look.

From Literature

Ella spotted Brigit surrounded by both the Hydra and Ursa Minor girls.

From Literature

“Have you been back into your old room in the Ursa Minor Tower?”

From Literature

Ella slipped through the Ursa Minor door behind another student.

From Literature

“I found it this morning, along with many other missing things, beneath the floorboards in the Ursa Minor Tower. I have the culprit trapped in my satchel.”

From Literature