: a northern constellation containing the bright star Arcturus
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Ancient Chinese astronomers saw Bootes and Virgo as part of a larger formation of stars representing the horn of a great azure dragon, with Arcturus serving as its shining tip.—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 May 2026 Arcturus is the brightest star in the entire evening sky in October and the brightest in the constellation Bootes the Herdsman, which looks much more like a giant kite with Arcturus lighting up the tail.—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Word History
Etymology
Latin (genitive Boötis), from Greek Boōtēs, literally, plowman, from bous head of cattle — more at cow