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nova

noun no·va \ ˈnō-və \

Definition of nova

plural novas or novae play \ˈnō-(ˌ)vē, -ˌvī\
: a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few months or years
—

novalike

play \ˈnō-və-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of nova

borrowed from New Latin, "newly visible star or nebula" (probably originally as ellipsis of nebula nova, later taken as ellipsis of stella nova "new star"), from feminine of Latin novus "new" — more at 1new

2

nova

noun, often capitalized

Definition of nova

: cured and smoked salmon; especially : salmon that has been cured in a mixture of salt and sugar and smoked at a low temperature

Origin and Etymology of nova

short for Nova Scotia salmon

Learn More about nova

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nova

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