galaxy

Definition

The Milky Way; the apparent band of concentrated stars which appears in the night sky over earth.

Etymology

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”).

Example Sentences

• "So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye, / And their white, whitenesse of the Galaxie [...]."
• "Grecian imagination ascribed to the galaxy or milky way an origin in the teeming breast of the queen of heaven[.]"
• "[a] galaxy of science fiction stars."

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