ad astra
Latin edit
Etymology edit
From ad (“to”) + astra (“stars, heaven”, acc. pl.) as a metaphor for immortality and eternal glory.
Pronunciation edit
- (Classical) IPA(key): /aˈdas.tra/, [äˈd̪äs̠t̪rä]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /aˈdas.tra/, [äˈd̪äst̪rä]
Phrase edit
- (idiomatic) to the stars, to heaven (cf. reach for the stars)
Usage notes edit
Used in a large variety of poetic expressions and modern mottoes.
Further reading edit
- “astrum”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- Ad astra (phrase) on Wikipedia