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Intermediate Dictionary
       

or·bit

orbit

 
 
pronunciation:
or biht
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the curved path in which a planet, satellite, or spacecraft moves in a circle around another body.
They steered the spacecraft to cross the orbit of the satellite.
similar words:
circuit, course, path, revolution
definition 2: one complete trip along this path.
The earth makes one orbit around the sun each year.
synonyms:
revolution
similar words:
circuit
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part of speech: verb
inflections: orbits, orbiting, orbited
definition: to move in a circle around.
The Moon orbits Earth.
See a movie for this meaning
 
synonyms:
revolve about
similar words:
encircle
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derivation: orbital (adj.)
Word History
Orbit comes from an early French word that means "the track of a wheel."
Word Explorer
See
  earth, outer space, physics, space
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