What does ursae mean?
Ursae is chiefly the plural of ursa, a formal term for a bear and thus a member of the family Ursidae. In ordinary modern English it is uncommon, because people normally say bears, but it can give zoological or Latinate writing a precise, traditional tone. The form has an additional grammatical role inherited from Latin: it is also the genitive singular of ursa, meaning “of a bear.” That function is especially recognizable in the traditional names Ursae Majoris and Ursae Minoris, where ursae forms part of a Latin astronomical designation rather than acting as a plural English noun. Both usages preserve the feminine Latin word ursa, “she-bear,” which comes from the broader Latin word ursus, “bear.” Cognates such as ursine and ursid carry the same root into modern English. Ursae is therefore worth knowing chiefly as a formal and etymological form, especially for readers who encounter bear species, scientific nomenclature, or classical constellation names.
nounUrsae is the plural of ursa, a formal term for a bear or other member of the bear family Ursidae. In Latin-derived astronomical names, it also functions as the genitive singular, meaning “of a bear.”
- The plural of ursa: bears or other members of the family Ursidae.
- The genitive singular of ursa: “of a bear,” as in the Latin-derived astronomical names Ursae Majoris and Ursae Minoris.
"The zoologist estimated that the sheltered cave was home to several ursae."
"The reserve provides habitat for several species of ursae."
"Ursae Majoris contains the seven stars commonly known as the Big Dipper."
Ursae is the standard plural form of ursa. The same spelling also serves as the Latin genitive singular of ursa.
"Conservationists tracked the ursae as they crossed the mountain pass."
One Latin ending does double duty: ursae can mean “bears” or “of a bear,” as preserved in the names of two familiar constellations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ursae
Ursae comes from the Latin ursae, which is both the plural of ursa and its genitive singular. Latin ursa means “she-bear” and derives from ursus, “bear,” the source of English cognates including ursine and ursid. Its survival in Ursae Majoris and Ursae Minoris reflects the traditional use of Latin genitives for constellation names.
Related word forms
How ursae is actually used
Ursae is uncommon in ordinary modern English and occurs chiefly in formal zoological writing, traditional Latin nomenclature, and constellation names. The plural is normally pronounced /ˈɜːrsɪ/, while the Latin genitive ending in Ursae Majoris and Ursae Minoris may be pronounced /iː/.
Easily confused with ursae
Ursa is the singular form meaning “a bear,” whereas ursae means “bears” as a plural or “of a bear” in a Latin genitive construction.