nova
/ˈnəʊ.və/
NƏƱ · və (2 syllables)
English
Noun Top 9,623
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Definition
Any sudden brightening of a previously inconspicuous star.
Etymology
Feminine nominative singular of Latin novus (“new”). The feminine is used since stella (“star”) is feminine; thus nova is a shortening of nova stella (“new star”), first used in this sense in 1573 by Tycho Brahe.
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