First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1orbit
noun or·bit \ˈȯr-bət\
Definition of ORBIT
: the bony socket of the eye
— or·bit·al \ˈȯr-bə-təl\ adjective
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Origin of ORBIT
Middle English, from Medieval Latin orbita, from Latin, rut, track, probably from orbis
Other Anatomy Terms
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
Synonym Discussion of ORBIT
range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another <a performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change>.
3orbit
verb
: to travel around (something, such as a planet or moon) in a curved path : to make an orbit around (something)
Full 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
See orbit defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ORBIT
1943
Related to ORBIT
- Synonyms
- circle, circuit, circumnavigate, circumvent, compass, girdle, encircle, ring, round
ORBIT Defined for Kids
1orbit
noun or·bit \ˈȯr-bət\
Definition of ORBIT for Kids
: the path taken by one body circling around another body <The earth makes an orbit around the sun.>
2orbit
verb
or·bit·edor·bit·ing
Definition of ORBIT for Kids
1
: to move in an orbit around : circle <The moon orbits the earth.>
2
: to send up so as to move in an orbit <The weather bureau will orbit a new satellite.>
Medical Dictionary
orbit
noun or·bit \ˈȯr-bət\
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\ adjective
Learn More About ORBIT
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