Alphard

noun

Al·​phard ˈal-ˌfärd 

astronomy

: an orange star of the second magnitude that is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra

Hydra is actually the largest constellation. Despite its size, it has only one bright star named Alphard. It can be found over in the southwest sky all by itself—hence the name, which in Arabic means "the solitary one."

—Kevin D. Conod, The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey), 17 May 2011

called also Alpha Hydrae

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

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