Lewis & Short

† arctŏs (nom. arctos, Verg. G. 1, 246; acc. arcton, Ov. M. 2, 132; 13, 293; id. F. 2, 192; Verg. G. 1, 138: arctum, Cic. N. D. 2, 42, 109 (in verse); nom. plur. arctoe (as in Ter. Adelphoe for Adelphi), Cic. N. D. 2, 41, 105, and Arat. Phaen. 441 B. and K.; C. German. Arat. 25 and 63), i, f. (cf. Rudd. I. p. 27; Neue, Formenl. I. pp. 650 sq.; 129; 131), = ἄρκτος.

  1. I. Lit., the Great and the Lesser Bear (Ursa Major et Minor; syn.: ursa, plaustrum, Septentrio), a double constellation (hence, geminae, Ov. M. 3, 45; Prop. 3, 15, 25) in the vicinity of the north pole; cf. Hyg. Astr. 2, 1 sq. Among the poets, on account of its place in the north, gelidae arcti, Ov. M. 4, 625; Verg. A. 6, 16; cf. Hor. C. 1, 26, 3; and since it never sets to our hemisphere, immunis aequoris, Ov. M. 13, 293: aequoris expers, id. ib. 13, 727: metuens aequore tingui, Verg. G. 1, 246 (an imitation of the Homeric: ἄμμορος λοετρῶν Ὠκεανοῖο, Il. 18, 489; Od. 5, 275; cf. also Arat. Phaen. 48: Ἄρκτοι κυανέου πεφυλαγμέναι Ὠκεανοῖο).
  2. II. Metaph.
    1. A. The north pole, Ov. M. 2, 132.
    2. B. The night (cf. luna), Prop. 3, 15, 25.
    3. C. The people dwelling in the north, Luc. 3, 74: post domitas Arctos, Claud. Laud. Stil. 1, 246; id. VI. Cons. Hon. 336.
    4. D. The north wind, Hor. C. 2, 15, 16.