An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Southern Cross. A small but brilliant → constellation in the southern hemisphere, at 12h 30m right ascension, 60° south declination. Also known as → Southern Cross. The constellation contains four bright stars so situated that they depict the extremities of a Latin cross. Abbreviation Cru; genitive Crucis.

Etymology (EN): L. crux “cross, gibbet” is a rendering of the Gk. stauros “an upright stake or pole,” in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible attributed to Saint Jerome at the end of the fourth century A.D.

Etymology (PE): Calipâ, loanword from Aramean.