pleiad

noun (1)

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ple·iad | \ ˈplē-əd

, ˈplā-, -ˌad, chiefly British ˈplī-

Definition of pleiad

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a group of usually seven illustrious or brilliant persons or things

Pleiad

noun (2)

Definition of Pleiad (Entry 2 of 2)

: any of the Pleiades

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In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione who were changed into a conspicuous cluster of seven stars in the constellation Taurus. During the Renaissance, French speakers used Pléiade (from the singular form of Pleiades) as the name for an eminent group of seven tragic poets of ancient Alexandria. Later, the French word was also used as a sobriquet for a group of 16th-century French poets led by Pierre de Ronsard. Pleiad has been shining its light in English since about 1839.