southern cross
Definition
Proper noun 1. A small, bright constellation in the Southern Hemisphere: The Southern Cross is a prominent constellation of four or five main stars, located in the Milky Way. It is a significant navigational and cultural symbol, particularly for nations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Usage
The term "Southern Cross" is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this constellation. It is often used in contexts related to astronomy, navigation, history, and national symbolism. * The Southern Cross is clearly visible on a clear night in Australia. * Early explorers used the Southern Cross to help navigate the oceans. * The flag of New Zealand features the Southern Cross.
Advanced Usage
- Cultural and National Symbol: Beyond astronomy, the Southern Cross holds deep symbolic meaning. It appears on the flags of several nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, representing their location in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Navigational Aid: Historically, because the long axis of the cross points approximately toward the south celestial pole, it has been a crucial tool for celestial navigation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Variants and Related Words
- Crux: This is the formal Latin name for the constellation "Southern Cross." The two terms are often used interchangeably in astronomical contexts.
- The constellation Crux is more commonly known as the Southern Cross.
- Crux Australis: An older Latin name meaning "Southern Cross."
Synonyms
- Crux (astronomical term)
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Under the Southern Cross": A phrase often used to evoke the lands and cultures of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Australia and New Zealand.
- They spent a year traveling under the Southern Cross.
Noun
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a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the Milky Way near Centaurus
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