orbit

¹or·bit

noun \ˈȯr-bət\

Definition of ORBIT

: the bony socket of the eye

— or·bit·al \ˈȯr-bə-t^əl\ adjective

Origin of ORBIT

Middle English, from Medieval Latin orbita, from Latin, rut, track, probably from orbis

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

²orbit

noun

Definition of ORBIT

1

a : a path described by one body in its revolution about another (as by the earth about the sun or by an electron about an atomic nucleus); also : one complete revolution of a body describing such a path

b : a circular path

2

: a range or sphere of activity or influence <within the president's orbit>

— orbital adjective

Origin of ORBIT

Latin orbita path, rut, orbit

First Known Use: 1696

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

³orbit

verb

Definition of ORBIT

transitive verb

1

: to revolve in an orbit around : circle

2

: to send up and make revolve in an orbit <orbit a satellite>

intransitive verb

: to travel in circles

Examples of ORBIT

1. The Moon orbits the Earth.
2. The satellites orbit at different heights.
3. The Moon orbits around the Earth.

First Known Use of ORBIT

1943

Related to ORBIT

Synonyms

circle, circuit, circumnavigate, circumvent, compass, girdle, encircle, ring, round

Related Words

circumambulate, cross, perambulate, traverse

or·bit

noun \ˈȯr-bət\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ORBIT

: the bony cavity perforated for the passage of nerves and blood vessels that occupies the lateral front of the skull immediately beneath the frontal bone on each side and encloses and protects the eye and its appendages—called also eye socket, orbital cavity

—or·bit·al \-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

Illustration of ORBIT