orbit
or·bit / ˈôrbit/ • n. 1. the curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon, esp. a periodic elliptical revolution. ∎ one complete circuit around an orbited body. ∎ the state of being on or moving in such a course: the earth is in orbit around the sun. ∎ the path of an electron around an atomic nucleus.2. a sphere of activity, interest, or application: he moved into the orbit of two great anticommunist socialists of the 1940s and 1950s.3. Anat. the cavity in the skull of a vertebrate that contains the eye; the eye socket. ∎ the area around the eye of a bird or other animal.• v. (-bit·ed, -bit·ing) [tr.] (of a celestial object or spacecraft) move in orbit around (a star, planet, or moon): Mercury orbits the Sun. ∎ [intr.] fly or move around in a circle: the mobile's disks spun and orbited slowly. ∎ put (a satellite) into orbit.PHRASES: into orbit inf. into a state of heightened performance, activity, anger, or excitement: his goal sent the fans into orbit.
