Added 9 October 2026
galaxy
/ˈɡæl.ək.si/ noun
In Latin: galaxias Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about galaxy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A splendid assemblage (especially of famous people).
- Tufted evergreen perennial herb having spikes of tiny white flowers and glossy green round to heart-shaped leaves that become coppery to maroon or purplish in fall.
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(astronomy) a collection of star systems; any of the billions of systems each having many stars and nebulae and dust.
`extragalactic nebula' is a former name for `galaxy'
Origin
From Middle English galaxye, galaxie, from Old French galaxie, from Latin galaxias, from Ancient Greek γαλαξίας (galaxías, “Milky Way”), shortening of γαλαξίας κύκλος (galaxías kúklos, “milky circle”), from γάλα (gála, “milk”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)