planet
planet a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit round a star; originally, each of the seven major celestial bodies visible from the earth which move independently of the fixed stars and were believed to revolve the earth in concentric spheres centred on the earth (in order of their supposed distance from the earth in the Ptolemaic system, the moon, Mercury, Venus, the sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). In astrology, a celestial body distinguished from the fixed stars by having an apparent motion of its own (including the moon and sun), especially with reference to its supposed influence on people and events.
The eight planets of the solar system are either gas giants—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—or smaller rocky bodies—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Recorded from Middle English, the word comes via Old French and late Latin from Greek planētēs ‘wanderer, planet’, from planan ‘wander’.
The eight planets of the solar system are either gas giants—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—or smaller rocky bodies—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Recorded from Middle English, the word comes via Old French and late Latin from Greek planētēs ‘wanderer, planet’, from planan ‘wander’.
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