arctŏs

arctum, Cic. N. D. 2, 42, 109 (in verse); nom. plur. arctoe (as in Ter. Adelphoe for Adelphi), Cic. N. D. 2, 41, 105, and Arat. Phaen. 441 B. and K.; C. German. Arat. 25 and 63), i, f. (cf. Rudd. I. p. 27; Neue, Formenl. I. pp. 650 sq.; 129; 131), = ἄρκτος.

Lit., the Great and the Lesser Bear (Ursa Major et Minor; syn.: ursa, plaustrum, Septentrio), a double constellation (hence, geminae, Ov. M. 3, 45; Prop. 3, 15, 25) in the vicinity of the north pole; cf. Hyg. Astr. 2, 1 sq. Among the poets, on account of its place in the north, gelidae arcti, Ov. M. 4, 625; Verg. A. 6, 16; cf. Hor. C. 1, 26, 3; and since it never sets to our hemisphere, immunis aequoris, Ov. M. 13, 293: aequoris expers, id. ib. 13, 727: metuens aequore tingui, Verg. G. 1, 246 (an imitation of the Homeric: ἄμμορος λοετρῶν Ὠκεανοῖο, Il. 18, 489; Od. 5, 275; cf. also Arat. Phaen. 48: Ἄρκτοι κυανέου πεφυλαγμέναι Ὠκεανοῖο).—

Metaph.