What does "lunar" mean?
The middle bone of the proximal series of the carpus in the wrist, which is shaped like a half-moon.
Lunar
/ˈl(j)uːnə/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The middle bone of the proximal series of the carpus in the wrist, which is shaped like a half-moon.
- Grammar: lunar is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: anagalactic, asteroidal, astral, astrologic.
- Useful contrasts: solar, solar device, solar energy term.
- Usage evidence: A lunar month is shorter than a calendar month.
How to use "lunar"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lunar" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "lunar" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The middle bone of the proximal series of the carpus in the wrist, which is shaped like a half-moon.
"The carpal bones are usually described as being capable of being luxated from the lower end of the radius forwards or backwards, inwards or outwards. The case backwards, which has been stated to be the most frequent, is facilitated by the direction of the convex articular surfaces of the scaphoid, lunar, and cuneiform bones, which slope more backwards than forwards."
- 2 An observation of a lunar distance (“the angle between the Moon and another celestial body”), especially for establishing the longitude of a ship at sea.
"[Y]oung beginners cannot be too often cautioned that a single lunar is of little or no value until the observer knows the usual difference between his lunars taken on opposite sides of the moon; and these should be taken with the same instrument, using the same screens and telescope, for he must remember that they may be expected to differ. My star lunars differ from three to four minutes, or say fifty miles of longitude; my sun lunars from one to two minutes, or say twenty minutes of longitude."
Adjective
- 1 Of, pertaining to, or resembling the Moon (that is, Luna, the Earth's moon). not-comparable
"lunar observations a lunar eclipse"
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of lunar (“pertaining to Luna, the moon of Terra”). alt-of
- 3 Shaped like a crescent moon; lunate. not-comparable
"Her tears purſu'd her words, and while ſhe ſpoke / The Goddeſs nodded, and her altar ſhook: / The temple doors, as with a blaſt of wind, / Were heard to clap; the lunar horns that bind / The brows of Iſis caſt a blaze around; / The trembling timbrel made a murm'ring ſound."
- 4 Extremely high. not-comparable
"Julian wolfed down the rest of his dinner and when he accompanied Michelle back to her apartment his spirits were positively lunar."
- 5 (Believed to be) influenced by the Moon, as in character, growth, or properties. historical, not-comparable
"Some of the Ancients, and likewiſe diuers of the Moderne VVriters, that haue laboured in Naturall Magick, have noted a Sympathy, between the Sunne, Moone, and ſome Principall Starres; And certaine Herbes, and Plants. And they haue denominated ſome Herbes Solar, and ſome Lunar; [...]"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Of or pertaining to silver (which was symbolically associated with the Moon by alchemists). historical, not-comparable
"On the Poison of Serpents. By W. Boag, Esq. [...] Supposing the fatal effect [of a snakebite] to be produced by the sudden subtraction of oxygen from the blood, this gentleman recommends, by way of antidote, the employment of those substances which contain oxygen in its greatest abundance, and part with it with the greatest facility; and, as lunar caustic [silver nitrate] possesses these properties in a singular degree, he concludes that no medicine is better calculated to resist the effects of the poison of serpents."
- 7 Of or pertaining to travel through space between the Earth and the Moon, or exploration and scientific investigation of the Moon. not-comparable
"Several initial experimental firings of the various stages of Saturn V into earth orbit will precede the planned lunar flight. The astronauts will practice rendezvous techniques in the earth's orbit. [...] Before they reach the moon the astronauts will have another difficult maneuver to perform—turning their command module around so that its nose is attached to the top of the lunar excursion module. Two of the crew members will transfer from the command module to the lunar excursion module."
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to or associated with the moon wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"A lunar month is shorter than a calendar month."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lunar"?
Common synonyms include: anagalactic, asteroidal, astral, astrologic, astrologistic, astrologous.
How do you use "lunar" in a sentence?
A lunar month is shorter than a calendar month.
How do you pronounce "lunar"?
Pronounced /ˈl(j)uːnə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English lunar (“shaped like the crescent moon”), from Latin lūnāris (“of or pertaining to the moon, lunar”) (possibly through Middle French lunaire (modern French lunaire (“lunar”)), from lūna (“the Moon; crescent shape”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“bright; to shine”)) + -is (suffix forming adjectives).
Etymology 2
Equivalent to Luna + -ar.