aquilae

Aquilae is a Latin term meaning "of the eagle" and serves as the genitive form of aquila, the Latin word for eagle. In broader usage, aquilae appears in Latin phrases and modern proper names to denote things associated with eagles or with the constellation Aquila.

In astronomy, aquilae appears as the genitive form used in star designations that indicate membership in the constellation Aquila, the Eagle. For example, Alpha Aquilae and Beta Aquilae are standard Latin-designated stars within that constellation. The form Aquilae indicates that the star belongs to Aquila, rather than to a different constellation.

In Roman military history, the aquila (plural aquilae) was the eagle standard carried by a legion. The aquila served as a symbol of the unit’s honor and cohesion; the loss or desecration of an aquila was a grave dishonor and could invite severe penalties or military reform.

In modern usage, aquilae appears in heraldic, ceremonial, and geographic names that evoke the eagle as a symbol. It also occurs in scholarly and transliterated Latin phrases encountered in astronomy and history.

See also: Aquila; Altair; List of stars in Aquila.