Main Entry:

Ur·sa Ma·jor

Pronunciation:

\ˌər-sə-ˈmā-jər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin (genitive Ursae Majoris), literally, greater bear

Date:

circa 1627

: a constellation that is the most conspicuous of the northern constellations, is situated near the north pole of the heavens, and contains the stars forming the Big Dipper two of which are in a line indicating the direction of the North Star —called also Great Bear