Alfard
/ˈæl.fɑːrd/noun
A proper name for Alpha Hydrae, the brightest star in the constellation Hydra.
Did you know?Alfard was associated with Hydra, the celestial serpent, and its Arabic name preserves the image of a single conspicuous star standing apart from surrounding stars.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Arabic
Arabic
الفرد (al-fard)
“The solitary one; the single or unique one”
Medieval Islamic astronomy
Arabic
الفرد
“A name applied to the conspicuous star in Hydra”
10th–11th Century
Arabic
al-Fard
“The solitary star, recorded in Arabic astronomical traditions”
17th Century
Latin
Alphard
“A transliterated star name appearing in European astronomical works”
Modern English
English
Alfard
“The conventional name of Alpha Hydrae, the brightest star in Hydra”