Merak

noun

Me·​rak ˈmir-ˌak 

ˈmer-

astronomy

: a blue star of the second magnitude that is seen in the constellation Ursa Major and forms part of the base of the Big Dipper

The outer two stars in the cup of the Big Dipper are called Dubhe and Merak. Together, they are called pointer stars and direct you across the sky to the star Polaris, also called the North Star.

—Knoxville (Tennessee) News-Sentinel, 4 Sept. 2008

called also Beta Ursae Majoris

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

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