pole-star
The North Star has been a reliable pole-star for sailors navigating the seas.
Definition
- Noun:
- The North Star: "pole-star" refers to Polaris, the star that appears nearly stationary in the northern sky, used for navigation.
- A guiding principle: Figuratively, "pole-star" means a principle, aim, or person that serves as a guide or source of direction.
Usage Examples
- The North Star:
- Sailors have relied on the pole-star for centuries to find their way across the ocean. (The North Star is used as a fixed reference point for navigation.)
- A guiding principle:
- Justice was the pole-star of his entire career as a judge. (Justice served as the main guiding principle in his work.)
Advanced Usage
"to follow one's pole-star": to adhere to a central guiding principle or goal.
- In times of confusion, she always followed her moral pole-star. (She stayed true to her core ethical values.)
"the pole-star of a movement": the key idea or leader that directs a social or political movement.
- Equality became the pole-star of the civil rights movement. (Equality was the fundamental goal that guided the movement.)
Variants and Related Words
- Polar (adj): relating to the North or South Pole.
- The polar regions are extremely cold. (Areas near the Earth's poles.)
- Stellar (adj): relating to stars.
- The stellar navigation system was accurate. (Star-based navigation.)
Synonyms
- Guiding star: a star used for navigation or a figurative guide.
- Lodestar: a star that guides, especially the North Star; also a guiding principle.
- North Star: the literal name for Polaris.
- Beacon: a light or signal that guides, often used figuratively.
- Guiding light: a person or principle that provides direction.
Related Idioms
"steer by the pole-star": to rely on a fixed reference point or principle.
- In a chaotic market, investors should steer by the pole-star of long-term value. (Use a stable principle to make decisions.)
"a pole-star in the darkness": something that provides hope or direction in difficult times.
- Her words were a pole-star in the darkness of his despair. (Her words guided him through his troubles.)