Ursa Minor

[ur-suh mahy-ner]

noun

Astronomy.

genitive

Ursae Minoris 

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. Also called: the Little Bear.  the Bear.  the Little Dipper. a small faint constellation, the brightest star of which is the Pole Star, lying 1° from the true celestial pole

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

“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

The researchers focused on two regions of the vast sky: A section of the Ursa Minor constellation and another region near the Fornax cluster.

From Salon

Similarly, the Polaris floor lamp, Gemini table lamp, Tri-Stars wall sconce and Ursa Minor chandelier take their cues from the heavens.

From New York Times

It is one close to Ursa Minor, the Little Bear Constellation, and they say Logan's star is one that shines "extra bright".

From BBC

For food, Ursa Minor is a Lopez destination, boasting an elevated gastronomic experience heavily influenced by locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

From Seattle Times