a variable star that undergoes a cataclysmic eruption, observed as a sudden large increase in brightness with a subsequent decline over months or years; it is a close binary system with one component a white dwarf
Compare supernova
Word origin
C19: New Latin nova (stella) new (star), from Latin novus new
nova in American English
(ˈnoʊvə)
nounWord forms: pluralˈnovas or ˈnovae (ˈnoʊvi)
Astronomy
a type of variable star that suddenly increases in brightness by thousands to hundreds of thousands of times up to 14 magnitudes, and then decreases in brightness over a period of months to years
Word origin
ModL < L nova (stella), new (star) < novus, new
Examples of 'nova' in a sentence
nova
One theory goes that bossa nova was born as a result of this restriction.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My father played bossa nova and jazz constantly so they were big influences.
The Sun (2015)
It's quite happy being the home of bossa nova.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Small but perfectly formed, that wispy timbre turns out to be perfectly suited to bossa nova classics and jazz standards.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Two hungover art students are locked in deep conversation about the meaning of the bossa nova playing thinly from a radio on one of the beds.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I taught myself to play Beatles songs and played bossa nova with my father singing along.
The Sun (2006)
An early interest in Latin American music made him a pioneer of bossa nova.