arctus

Definitiones

1. alternative spelling of Arctus
   alt-of, alternative, declension-2, masculine
2. the Ursa Major constellation
   declension-2, feminine
3. used as a specific epithet, meaning bear or bear-like, or northern
   declension-2, masculine
4. the Ursa Minor constellation
   declension-2, feminine
5. both the Ursa Major and the Ursa Minor
   declension-2, feminine, in-plural
6. north
   declension-2, feminine

Exempla

“Incidit etiam compluribus erratio, quibus de causis minor⟳ Arctus Phoenice appelletur. … Thales enim, qui … hanc primus Arctum appellavit, natione fuit Phoenix.”

Very many make an error regarding why it is called the Smaller Bear in Phoenician. … Thales of Miletus, who … was the first to call it a Bear, was of Phoenician descent.

“Nonnulli etiam Helicen et Cynosuram nymphas esse Iouis nutrices dicunt, et hac re etiam pro beneficio in mundo⟳ conlocatas, et utrasque Arctos appellatas esse, quas nostri Septentriones dixerunt.”

Some say the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are Jupiter's nursing nymphs, and for this reason they were placed on the world [sky] for our benefit, and were both named Arctos ("the Bears"), which we [the Romans] named the Septentriones ("the Northerners").

“Juravit tibi iam nivalis Arctus”

The snowy north has already sworn itself to you

Gradus CEFR