In Greek mythology, name of one of the twin sons (Castor and Pollux) of Tyndarus and Leda, brothers of Helena; represented in the constellation Gemini or the Twins, of which Castor is the first, and Pollux the second star.
1526. Tindale, Acts xxviii. 11. A ship of Alexandry, which had wyntred in the Yle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux.
1647. Ward, Simp. Cobler, 38. Truth and Peace are the Castor and Pollux of the Gospell.
1868. Lockyer, Guillemin’s Heavens (ed. 3), 350, note. Castor is a binary system to which … doubtless belongs a third star, which participates in the proper movement of the two others.
2. A name given to the phenomenon called also CORPOSANT or St. Elmo’s Fire. On the appearance of two at once they were called Castor and Pollux, and were thought to portend the cessation of a storm.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, V. xviii. (1737), 77. He had seen Castor at the Main-yard-arm.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Feu Saint-Elme, a corposant, sometimes called Castor and Pollux.
