Rasalhague

noun

Ras·​al·​ha·​gue

variants or less commonly Ras Alhague

ˈräs-al-ˈhä-gwē,

-ˈhā-ˌgyü,

-ˈhāg

astronomy

: a white star of the second magnitude that is the brightest star in the constellation Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus is believed to represent Aesculapius, the ancient god of health and healing, and its brightest star is named Rasalhague, which appropriately is Arabic for "Head of the Snake Charmer."

—Dennis Mammana, Copley News Service, 14 Sept. 2007

called also Alpha Ophiuchi

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Medieval Latin Rasalauge, Rasalhauge, borrowed from Arabic ra's al-ḥawwā', literally, "head of the snake charmer"

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

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