An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

Any of stars, often found in → globular clusters and old → open clusters, that lie on the blueward extension of the → main sequence beyond the → turnoff point. Blue stragglers have an anomalously blue color and high luminosity in comparison with other cluster members. The most probable ways in which they could form are: → mass transfer or → coalescence in → close binary systems, encounters or collisions in overcrowded cores of globular clusters.

→ blue; → straggler.

One who moves along slowly so as to remain some distance behind the person or people in front. → blue straggler.

From straggle "to wander from the proper path, to rove from one's companions," from M.E. straglen "to wander."

Veylân "wanderer, vagabond," of unknown origin, may be related to yalé "turned loose, vagabond, allowed to pasture at liberty, rover," or vel "set free."