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Webster 1913 Edition


Asteroid

As′ter-oid

,
Noun.
[Gr. [GREEK] starlike, starry;
ἀστήρ
star +
εἶδοσ
form: cf. F.
astéroïde
. See
Aster
.]
A starlike body; esp. one of the numerous small planets whose orbits lie between those of Mars and Jupiter; – called also
planetoids
and
minor planets
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Asteroid

AS'TEROID

,
Noun.
[Gr. a star, and form.]
A name given by Herschel to the newly discovered planets between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.