planet etymology

Planet (noun)

Etymology:

  • From Middle English planete, derived from Old English planēta, ultimately from Ancient Greek πλανήτης (planētēs), meaning "wanderer".

Meaning:

A celestial body that orbits a star, is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, but is not massive enough to cause nuclear fusion.

Origin:

The term "planet" was first used by ancient Greek astronomers to describe the celestial bodies that moved about the heavens in a regular fashion, in contrast to the fixed stars. The planets known to the ancient Greeks were Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The term "planet" eventually came to refer to any celestial body that orbits a star, regardless of its size or composition.

planet relate terms

  • aeroplane

    Etymology and Origin of Aeroplane The word aeroplane is derived from two Greek words

  • airplane

    Etymology Old French avion c 13th century Medieval Latin avis bird Meaning

  • planet

    Planet noun Etymology From Middle English planete derived from Old English planēta

  • interplanetary

    Etymology The word interplanetary is derived from the following Latin roots inter

  • planet

    Planet noun Etymology From Middle English planete derived from Old English planēta

  • planetarium

    Etymology Planetarium is derived from the Latin word planeta referring to a wanderin

  • satellite

    Etymology The word satellite comes from the Latin word satelles which means atten

  • Martian

    Etymology The name Mars derives from the Roman god of war Mars Meaning Mars is the

  • jovial

    Etymology The word jovial comes from the Latin word Iovialis which means of or rel

  • cerium

    Etymology and Origin The name cerium originates from the Latin word Ceres the Roman

  • saturnine

    Etymology The word saturnine derives from the Latin word saturninus which in turn o

  • phosphorus

    Etymology The word phosphorus originates from the Greek word φώσφορος phosp

  • major

    Etymology Old French majur Latin major greater Meaning Of greater size impo

  • crux

    Etymology Latin crux meaning cross Meaning A crucial point issue or questi