capella: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Specialized
Quick answer
What does “capella” mean?
A term with two primary uses: 1) the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, 2) historically, a chapel or choir, from which the star's name derives.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term with two primary uses: 1) the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, 2) historically, a chapel or choir, from which the star's name derives.
Less commonly, can refer to an unaccompanied singing style (a cappella), though this is usually spelled with two 'p's and one 'l'. In modern technical contexts (e.g., software), occasionally used as a proper noun for product names.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English for the astronomical term. The musical spelling 'a cappella' is standard in both, but 'capella' alone is rarely used this way.
Connotations
Scientific/astronomical in primary use; evokes antiquity or choral music in secondary/historical use.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, encountered almost exclusively in astronomical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “capella” in a Sentence
Proper Noun (Capella) + verb (is/shines/is located)Preposition + Capella (e.g., in Capella, like Capella)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capella” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not used as a standard adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Possibly as a brand or company name.
Academic
Used in astronomy, astrophysics, and history (referring to chapels).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be mentioned in stargazing contexts.
Technical
Primary context is astronomy (a specific star).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capella”
- Misspelling as 'cappella' when referring to the star.
- Using 'capella' to mean unaccompanied singing (correct spelling is 'a cappella').
- Assuming it is a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Capella is not the North Star (Polaris). It is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga.
It is pronounced kuh-PEL-uh (/kəˈpɛlə/), with the stress on the second syllable.
It derives from Latin, meaning 'little goat' or 'she-goat'. Historically, it also referred to a chapel, as chapels often held relics like a 'goat-hair' cloak of St. Martin.
Not by itself. The correct term for unaccompanied singing is 'a cappella' (Italian for 'in the chapel style'), spelled with two 'p's and one 'l'.
A term with two primary uses: 1) the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, 2) historically, a chapel or choir, from which the star's name derives.
Capella is usually formal, technical, specialized in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CAP-ELLA: Imagine a star so bright you need a CAP to shield your eyes from ELLA, the brilliant lady of the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BEACON (as a bright, guiding star).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Capella' primarily known as?