andromeda

plural andromedas

1. countableuncountableAny shrub of the genus Pieris (family Ericaceae), having leathery leaves and small flowers.
2. countableuncountableBog rosemary.

1. Greekhuman sciencesThe daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, king and queen of Eritrea, rescued from her sacrifice to the sea monster Cetus by Perseus, who married her; mother of Perses, ancient king of Persia.
2. astronomyA constellation of the northern sky representing the "chained woman" Andromeda in Greek mythology, which is surrounded by the constellations of Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Pegasus, among others.
3. astronomyThe nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, located within the Andromeda constellation (see Andromeda Galaxy); M31.

   The Milky Way once had a massive galactic sibling that was shredded and consumed by our closest neighbour, Andromeda, scientists have discovered.

   2018 July 23, Hannah Devlin, “Discovered: Milky Way's long-lost galactic sibling”, in The Guardian

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   Andromeda is a large, spiral galaxy like the Milky Way. It's between two and three million light years away. On a clear night in a dark place, you can see Andromeda with the naked eye.

   2008, Roger Reid, Space (novel), Montgomery, AL: Junebug Books, page 41