asteroid
pronunciation
How to pronounce asteroid in British English:
UK [ˈæstərɔɪd]
How to pronounce asteroid in American English:
US [ˈæstərɔɪd]
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- Noun:
- any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
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- Adjective:
- shaped like a star
Word Origin
- asteroid (n.)
- 1802, coined probably by German-born English astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822) from Greek asteroeides "star-like," from aster "star" (see astro-) + -eidos "form, shape" (see -oid).
Example
- 1. A large asteroid strike would do yet more damage .
- 2. Now bring on that asteroid .
- 3. The asteroid would hit earth in less than a day .
- 4. But could asteroid deflection projects have a dark side ?
- 5. Of course there are no records of death by asteroid .