Galaxy


[gal-uh k-see] /ˈgæl ək si/

noun, plural galaxies.
1.
Astronomy.

2.
any large and brilliant or impressive assemblage of persons or things:
a galaxy of opera stars.
/ˈɡæləksɪ/
noun (pl) -axies
1.
any of a vast number of star systems held together by gravitational attraction in an asymmetric shape (an irregular galaxy) or, more usually, in a symmetrical shape (a regular galaxy), which is either a spiral or an ellipse Former names island universe, extragalactic nebula, related adjective galactic
2.
a splendid gathering, esp one of famous or distinguished people
/ˈɡæləksɪ/
noun
1.
the Galaxy, the spiral galaxy, approximately 100 000 light years in diameter, that contains the solar system about three fifths of the distance from its centre Also known as the Milky Way System See also Magellanic Cloud
n.

late 14c., from Old French galaxie, from Late Latin galaxias “Milky Way,” from Greek galaxias (adj.), in galaxias kyklos, literally “milky circle,” from gala (genitive galaktos) “milk” (see lactation). The technical astronomical sense emerged 1848. Figurative sense of “brilliant assembly of persons” is from 1580s. Milky Way is a translation of Latin via lactea.

See yonder, lo, the Galaxyë Which men clepeth the Milky Wey, For hit is whyt. [Chaucer, “House of Fame”]

Astronomers began to speculate by mid-19c. that some of the spiral nebulae they could see in telescopes were actually immense and immensely distant structures the size and shape of the Milky Way. But the matter was not settled until the 1920s.

galaxy
(gāl’ək-sē)

A large, self-contained mass of stars.

Note: A common form for galaxies is a bright center with spiral arms radiating outward.

Note: The universe contains billions of galaxies.

Note: The sun belongs to the galaxy called the Milky Way.

language
An extensible language in the vein of EL/1 and RCC.
[“Introduction to the Galaxy Language”, Anne F. Beetem et al, IEEE Software 6(3):55-62].
(1995-12-09)

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