gal|ax|y

Gal|ax|y «GAL uhk see», noun.

= Milky Way. (Cf. ↑Milky Way)

╂[< Late Latin galaxias (in Latin, milkstone) < Greek galaxías < gála, -aktos milk]

gal|ax|y «GAL uhk see», noun, plural -ax|ies.

1. a group of billions of stars forming one system. A galaxy is a system or aggregate of stars, cosmic dust, and gas, held together by gravitation, often thousands of light-years in diameter. The earth and the sun are part of one galaxy. Each galaxy holds many solar systems, and there are billions of galaxies in the universe. Many galaxies outside our own can be seen with a telescope.

2. Figurative. a brilliant or splendid group, especially of beautiful women or distinguished persons: »

The queen was followed by a galaxy of brave knights and fair ladies.

3. Figurative. any impressive group of things: »

the new galaxy of hydrogen weapons (Newsweek). The place has a galaxy of mausoleums (New Yorker).

╂[< Galaxy]