Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Galaxy
Gal′ax-y
,Noun.
pl.
Galaxies
(#)
. [F.
galaxie
, L. galaxias
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] (sc. [GREEK] circle), fr. [GREEK], [GREEK], milk; akin to L. lac
. Cf. Lacteal
.] 1.
(Astron.)
1.
The Milky Way, that luminous tract, or belt, which is seen at night stretching across the heavens, and which is composed of innumerable stars, so distant and blended as to be distinguishable only with the telescope.
Nichol.
Webster 1828 Edition
Galaxy
GAL'AXY
,Noun.
1.
The milky way; that long, white, luminous track which seems to encompass the heavens like a girdle. This luminous appearance is found by the telescope to be occasioned by a multitude of stars, so small as not to be distinguished by the naked eye.2.
An assemblage of splendid persons or things.Definition 2024
Galaxy
Galaxy
See also: galaxy
English
Proper noun
- (astronomy, dated) the Milky Way Galaxy, from before it was realized that the Milky Way was not the only "galaxy"
- 1633, John Donne, "Sapho to Philænis":
- So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye, / And their white, whitenesse of the Galaxie [...].
- 1633, John Donne, "Sapho to Philænis":
Synonyms
- Milky Way Galaxy
- Milky Way
- Local Galaxy
galaxy
galaxy
See also: Galaxy
English
The spiral galaxy NGC 1672
Alternative forms
- (Milky Way Galaxy): Galaxy
Noun
galaxy (plural galaxies)
- (now rare) The Milky Way; the apparent band of concentrated stars which appears in the night sky over earth. [from 14th c.]
- 1633, John Donne, "Sapho to Philænis":
- So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye, / And their white, whitenesse of the Galaxie [...].
- 1633, John Donne, "Sapho to Philænis":
- (astronomy) Any of the collections of many millions of stars, galactic dust, black holes, etc. existing as independent and coherent systems, of which there are billions in the known universe. [from 19th c.]
Synonyms
- (astronomy): G (abbreviation), trichiliocosm (in Buddhism)
Derived terms
Terms derived from galaxy (noun)
|
|
Translations
the Milky Way — see Milky Way
collection of billions of stars, galactic dust, black holes, etc
|
|