majoris

Majoris is the Latin genitive singular form of the adjective maior/magnus, meaning "great" or "larger." In astronomical terminology, Majoris appears as part of the Latin nomenclature used to name stars and constellations, indicating association with a larger figure such as a prominent constellation or a pair of related constellations. Practically, Majoris functions as the possessive element in star designations, translating roughly to "of the Great" or "of the Greater" when attached to the name of a constellation.

A common pattern in star naming uses the form [designation] [Constellation in genitive], for example Alpha Canis Majoris or Zeta Ursae Majoris. Here Majoris marks the relationship to Canis Major (the Great Dog) or Ursa Major (the Great Bear). The same genitive appears in other names within these constellations, and in some cases the full phrase Ursae Majoris or Canis Majoris appears in historical or catalog contexts to denote possession or association with the respective Great Bear or Great Dog.

Etymologically, Majoris derives from the Latin comparative adjective maior (greater), with the genitive singular form majoris. In modern astronomy, it is not a standalone name but a grammatical form that helps link a star to its parent constellation in formal designations.

See also: Ursa Major, Canis Major, Bayer designation, astronomical nomenclature, Latin in astronomical names.