Rasalhague

noun
Ras·​al·​ha·​gue
variants: or less commonly Ras Alhague \ ˈräs-​al-​ˈhä-​gwē , -​ˈhā-​ˌgyü , -​ˈhāg \

Definition of Rasalhague

astronomy
: a white star of the second magnitude that is the brightest star in the constellation Ophiuchus Ophiuchus is believed to represent Aesculapius, the ancient god of health and healing, and its brightest star is named Rasalhague, which appropriately is Arabic for “Head of the Snake Charmer.”— Dennis Mammana, Copley News Service, 14 Sept. 2007

called also Alpha Ophiuchi

First Known Use of Rasalhague

1780, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Rasalhague

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Medieval Latin Rasalauge, Rasalhauge, borrowed from Arabic ra’s al-ḥawwā’, literally, “head of the snake charmer”

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