Altair
/ælˈtɛər/noun
A first-magnitude star in the constellation Aquila, forming one point of the Summer Triangle.
Did you know?Altair’s name comes from Arabic al-ṭāʾir, “the flying one,” referring to its place in the constellation Aquila, the Eagle.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ṭ-y-r
“To fly or move through the air; the reconstructed root behind the Arabic word for flying.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
al-ṭāʾir
“The flying one; a bird or flying creature.”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
النسر الطائر (al-nasr al-ṭāʾir)
“The flying eagle, the name of the constellation Aquila and its prominent star.”
12th–13th Century
Medieval Latin
Althair / Atair
“Latinized forms of the Arabic star-name transmitted through astronomical manuscripts.”
17th Century
English
Altair
“The established English form for the bright star in Aquila.”
Modern English
English
Altair
“A bright white star approximately 16.7 light-years from Earth, also called Alpha Aquilae.”