Definition

1. Noun:
   • A planet (typically Venus) visible in the western sky after sunset: The "evening star" is not a star but a planet, most commonly Venus, that appears brightly in the western horizon during the twilight hours following sunset.

Usage

• The term "evening star" is used to describe the celestial object's appearance and timing. It is a specific astronomical observation.
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• Poetic/Literary Use: Often used in poetry and literature to symbolize beauty, hope, or the arrival of night.
  • Example: The poet wrote of the evening star as a lonely beacon in the twilight.
• Historical/Astronomical Context: Before modern astronomy, the "evening star" and "morning star" were not always known to be the same object (Venus).
  • Example: Ancient cultures had different myths for the evening star and the morning star.

Variants and Related Words

• Morning Star: The same planet (Venus) when it is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise.
• Hesperus: The ancient Greek name for the evening star (Venus).
• Phosphorus: The ancient Greek name for the morning star (Venus).

Synonyms

• Vesper (archaic/poetic): Another term for the evening star.
• Venus (specific): The name of the planet itself when referring to its appearance as the evening star.

Related Phrases

• "Star of the evening": A poetic phrase synonymous with "evening star."
  • Example: Look, the star of the evening is out.

Notes

• The "evening star" is an example of an apparent celestial body whose identity (a planet) differs from its traditional name (a star). It is one of the brightest objects in the night sky.

Noun

1. a planet (usually Venus) seen at sunset in the western sky