Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
bright star in the left shoulder of Orion, from Latin bellatrix "female warrior," frequently used as an adjective, "warlike, skilled in war," fem. of bellator "to wage war," from bellum "war" (see bellicose). The Latin name, from the Alfonsine Tables (mid-13c.), very loosely translates the Arabic name for the star, Al Najid "the conqueror."\n\nIn astrology it was the natal star of all destined to great civil or military honors, and rendered women born under its influence lucky and loquacious; or as old Thomas Hood said, "Women born under this constellation shall have mighty tongues."
[Allen]
Wikipedia
Bellatrix, also designated Gamma Orionis (γ Orionis, abbreviated Gamma Ori, γ Ori), is the third brightest star in the constellation of Orion, 5° right of the red giant Alpha Orionis ( Betelgeuse). Just between the 1st and 2nd magnitude, it is the 27th brightest star in the night sky.
Since 1963, Bellatrix was included with a set of bright stars that astronomers employ as a luminosity standard. These are used for comparison with other stars to check for variability, and so by definition, the apparent magnitude of Bellatrix was set to 1.64. However, when an all-sky photometry survey was carried out in 1988, this star was itself found to be variable. It ranges in apparent magnitude from 1.59 to 1.64.
Bellatrix were an Icelandic rock group. The group was founded in 1992 in Keflavík as Kolrassa krókríðandi by four women, all aged sixteen: Eliza M Geirsdóttir ( vocals and violin), Sigrún Eiríksdóttir ( guitar), Ester Bíbí Ásgeirsdóttir ( bass) and Birgitta Vilbersdóttir ( drums). The band released the mini-album Drápa (Slaughter) in 1992. In 1994, they released Kynjasögur (Family Stories) with Anna Margrét Hraundal ( guitar) and Karl Ágúst Guðmundsson ( trumpet and keyboard) replacing Birgitta. Two years later, in 1996, they released Köld eru kvennaráð.
They also released Stranger Tales in 1995, which featured some English versions of Icelandic songs. This was also their first CD published under the name Bellatrix. This was followed by G in 1998 released on Global Warming Records. In 1999 they signed to Fierce Panda and released It's All True in 2000 under the name Bellatrix. Their single, "Jedi Wannabe", peaked at #65 in the UK Singles Chart in September 2000. They co-headlined a UK tour with Coldplay, but split up the following year.
Bellatrix is the feminine form of bellator, the Latin word for warrior. It can also mean:
- Bellatrix (Gamma Orionis), a star in the constellation of Orion
- Bellatrix (band) (1992–2001), a former Icelandic rock band
-
USS Bellatrix, a name common to several ships
- USS Bellatrix (AK-20/AKA-3) (1942–1991), an amphibious cargo ship of the United States Navy
- USNS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288) (1973– ), a ship of the United States Navy
- Bellatrix Lestrange, a character from the Harry Potter novels
Usage examples of "bellatrix".
I went to Bellatrix with the Gaijin: Gamma Orionis, three hundred and sixty light-years away.
When the Bellatrix landed, not an hour afterward, Chan Derron was found staggering aimlessly about the rock.
Hal Samdu on the Bellatrix, and told that veteran spaceman of these disastrous new developments.
Black's cousin Narcissa, sister of Bellatrix and wife of Lucius Malfoy.
He went to the only Black family member for whom he had any respect left … Black's cousin Narcissa, sister of Bellatrix and wife of Lucius Malfoy' `How do you know all this?
Tonks, still halfway up the tiered seats, was firing spells down at Bellatrix —.
Tonks, still halfway up the tiered seats, was firing spells down at Bellatrix - nobody seemed to realise that Harry was dying.
Across the room Harry saw Tonks fall from halfway up the stone steps, her limp form toppling from stone seat to stone seat and Bellatrix, triumphant, running back towards the fray.