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sagitta

noun sa·git·ta \ səˈjitə \

Definition of sagitta

1 plural -s : the distance from the midpoint of an arc to the midpoint of its chord
2 -s : the larger of the two large otoliths found in the ear of most fishes
3 a Sagitta : a genus of planktonic marine animals (phylum Chaetognatha) including the largest arrow worms
b plural sagittas\-təz\ or sagittae\-tˌē\ : any arrowworm of the genus Sagitta

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Origin and Etymology of sagitta

New Latin, from Latin, arrow, probably of non-Indo-European origin

Sagitta

noun Sa·git·ta \ sə-ˈji-tə \

Definition of Sagitta

astronomy
: a small northern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Aquila and Vulpecula and that is represented by the figure of an arrow
  • Sagitta is an interesting constellation to see in the early evening. It's a small compact group in a beautiful field of double stars. In mythology, Sagitta represents an arrow shot by the hero Hercules.
  • —Arnold Pearlstein, Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida),  21 Aug. 1994

First Known Use of sagitta

1675

in the meaning defined above

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