ˈsēfēə̇d also ˈsef- noun
or cepheid variable
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized C
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary cephe- (from Latin Cepheus, a northern constellation, from Cepheus, mythical king of Ethiopia and father of Andromeda, from Greek Kēpheus ) + -id
: one of a class of pulsating stars whose intrinsic light variations are very regular, occurring in periods up to two months