astronomy
pronunciation
How to pronounce astronomy in British English:
UK [əˈstrɒnəmi]
How to pronounce astronomy in American English:
US [əˈstrɑːnəmi]
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- Noun:
- the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole
Word Origin
- astronomy
- astronomy: [13] Astronomy comes via Old French and Latin from Greek astronomíā, a derivative of the verb astronomein, literally ‘watch the stars’. Greek ástron and astér ‘star’ (whence English astral [17] and asterisk [17]) came ultimately from the Indo-European base *ster-, which also produced Latin stella ‘star’, German stern ‘star’, and English star.The second element of the compound, which came from the verb némein, meant originally ‘arrange, distribute’. At first, no distinction was made between astronomy and astrology. Indeed, in Latin astrologia was the standard term for the study of the stars until Seneca introduced the Greek term astronomia. When the two terms first coexisted in English (astrology entered the language about a century later than astronomy) they were used interchangeably, and in fact when a distinction first began to be recognized between the two it was the opposite of that now accepted: astrology meant simply ‘observation’, whereas astronomy signified ‘divination’.The current assignment of sense was not fully established until the 17th century.=> asterisk, astral, star
- astronomy (n.)
- c. 1200, from Old French astrenomie, from Latin astronomia, from Greek astronomia, literally "star arrangement," from astron "star" (see astro-) + nomos "arranging, regulating," related to nemein "to deal out" (see numismatic). Used earlier than astrology and originally including it. Þer wes moni god clarc to lokien in þan leofte, to lokien i þan steorren nehʒe and feorren. þe craft is ihate Astronomie. [Layamon, "The Brut," c. 1200]
Example
- 1. The here and now are defined by astronomy and geology .
- 2. Without this understanding , astronomy is very difficult .
- 3. He earned a ph. d.in astronomy , but practiced law in kentucky .
- 4. Not surprisingly , europe 's scientific revolution began in the field of astronomy .
- 5. To overcome this challenge , the smos mission has borrowed techniques used in radio astronomy .