centaur

noun

cen·​taur ˈsen-ˌtȯr 

1

or less commonly Centaur : any of a race of creatures fabled to be half human and half horse and to live in the mountains of Thessaly

2

Centaur astronomy : any of a class of asteroids with elliptical orbits that typically lie between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune

The Centaurs are distinguished dynamically as a group of objects whose orbits cross those of the Jovian planets and whose perihelions lie outside the orbit of Jupiter.

—Robert H. Brown et al.

Examples of centaur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chiron the centaur, ruler of injury and healing, turns retrograde in late July. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 15 July 2024

This star pattern represents a centaur, who is half man, half horse wielding a bow and arrow. —Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 13 July 2024

Symbolized by the centaur, Chiron exposes our deepest traumas and hurts that take a lifetime to mend. —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024

Physical activities are favored this weekend, such as a hike, swim, walking tour, or even a horseback ride (Sagittarius is related to the centaur, after all). —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin Centaurus, from Greek Kentauros

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

centaur

noun

cen·​taur ˈsen-ˌtȯ(ə)r 

: a creature in Greek mythology that is half human and half horse