daystar

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English daysterre, from Old English dæġsteorra, equivalent to day +‎ star. Cognate with Scots daystern (morningstar; daystar).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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daystar (plural daystars)

  1. The morning star; the planet Venus.
    • 1809, Joel Barlow, The Columbiad, book VI, l. 245:
      Here dawn'd the daystar of Hesperia's fame, / Here herald glory first emblazed her name;
    • 1865, Common English Version of the Bible, 2 Peter 1:19:
      And we have more sure the prophetic word; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts;
  2. (poetic) The Sun.
    I only go outdoors at night, away from the daystar's burning glare.

Usage notes

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The word used in the Bible (2 Peter) is the Ancient Greek φωσφόρος (phōsphóros) ‘phosphoros’, the ancient name for the planet Venus. Literally, "light-bringer". It is interpreted by some Christians as allegory for Jesus Christ; see for example Daystar University.