Alkaid

See also: alkáid

English

Etymology

From Arabic القَائِدُ لبَنَاتِ النَعْش (“the leader of the girls at the bier”), from قَائِد (qāʔid, “leader”) + بَنَات (banāt) plural of بِنْت (bint, “girl”) + نَعْش (naʕš, “bier”). With reference to the mourners at the funeral of Calypso (who became the Great Bear).

Proper noun

Alkaid

1. (astronomy) A star in the constellation of Ursa Major, the easternmost star of the Plough.

Synonyms

• Eta Ursae Majoris
• Benetnash

Italian

Etymology

From Arabic القَائِدُ البَنَاتِ النَعْش (al-qāʔidu l-banāti n-naʕš, literally “the leader of the girls at the bier”).

Proper noun

Alkaid f

1. Alkaid, the third brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major