Nova
/ˈnoʊ.və/noun
A star that suddenly increases in brightness and then fades.
Did you know?Astronomers borrowed nova from Latin because early observers thought these sudden stars were brand-new lights appearing in the sky, not exploding or erupting stars.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*newos
“new”
Latin
Latin
novus
“new, fresh, recent”
Late Latin
Latin
stella nova
“new star”
16th Century
English
nova
“a new star appearing suddenly in the sky”
Modern English
English
nova
“a star that suddenly brightens and then fades”