Castor

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

and POLLUX. It is said that the vessel which carried Paul to Rome had the sign of Castor and Pollux,  Acts 28:11 . Castor and Pollux were sea-gods, and invoked by sailors; and even the light balls or meteors which are sometimes seen on ships, were called Castor and Pollux. An inscription in Gruter proves that seamen implored Castor and Pollux in dangers at sea. It is to be observed, that St. Luke does not mention the name, but the sign, of the ship. By the word sign, the sacred writer meant a protecting image of the deity, to whom the vessel was in some sort consecrated; as at present in Catholic countries, most of their vessels are named after some saint, St. Xavier, St. Andero, St. Dominique, &c. It appears to be certain, that the figure which gave name to the ship was at the head, and the tutelary deity was placed on the poop.

King James Dictionary

CASTOR, n.

1. A beaver, an amphibious quadruped, with a flat ovate tail, short ears, a blunt nose, small fore feet, and large hind feet. 2. A reddish brown substance of a strong penetrating smell, taken from bags or cods in the groin of the beaver a powerful antispasmodic. 3. In astronomy, a moiety of the constellation Gemini, called also Apollo.

Castor and Pollux, in meterology, a fiery meteor, which, at sea, appears sometimes adhering to a part of a ship, in the form of one, two and even three or four balls. When one is seen alone, it is called Helena, which portends that the severest part of the storm is yet to come. Two appearing at once are denominated Castor and Pollux, or Tyndaridoe, and portend a cessation of the storm.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) A heavy quality of broadcloth for overcoats.

(2): (n.) Castoreum. See Castoreum.

(3): (n.) A hat, esp. one made of beaver fur; a beaver.

(4): (n.) See Caster, a small wheel.

(5): (n.) Alt. of Castorite

(6): (n.) the northernmost of the two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, the other being Pollux.

(7): (n.) A genus of rodents, including the beaver. See Beaver.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Castor ( Kăs'Tor ), and Pollux ( Pŏl'Lux ).  Acts 28:11, A. V.; R. V. reads "The Twin Brothers." In heathen mythology, "Castor" and "Pollux" were the names of twin sons of Jupiter, who presided over the destinies of sailors. Hence an image representing them was often seen on the prow of ancient ships, like the figure-heads of modern days. In the case of Paul's ship, the name was Castor and Pollux.

Holman Bible Dictionary

sons of Jupiter  Acts 28:11

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

See Dioscuri.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is the name of several persons in early Christian records:

1. A correspondent and personal friend of Gregory Nazianzen. There are two letters of Gregory to Castor one ( Epist. 93) sent by his young friend and spiritual son Sacerdos, whom Gregory begs he will not detain long. The second ( Epist. 94) contains complaints of his own health, and threatens Castor in playful terms if he does not soon send back a lady whom he calls "their common sister."

2. A presbyter of Treves under St. Maximinus, who became a hermit at Caerden, and died Feb. 13 (Acta Sanctorum).

3. A confessor and bishop of Apt, in Provence, who appears to have been born at Nismes, and to have founded a monastery between the years 419- 426. He is commemorated Sept. 21 (Acta Sanctorum, Sept. 6, 249). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. G neral, s.v.

4. A priest of Coblentz, who is said to have performed many miracles, but his history is uncertain, and his date is unknown ( Acta Sanctorum, Feb. 2, 663).

5. The father of pope Felix IV. Castorina was the maternal aunt of St. Jerome. His letter to her (13, ed. Vail.), written when he was in the desert, shows that there had been some disagreement between them.