or|bit

or|bit «AWR biht», noun, verb.

–n.

1. the path of the earth or any one of the planets about the sun: »

the orbit of Mars.

2. the path of any celestial body about another celestial body: »

the moon's orbit about the earth.

3. the path of an artificial satellite about any celestial body: »

to put a weather satellite into orbit about the earth.

4. the curved path of an electron about the nucleus of an atom.

5. Figurative. the regular course of life or experience; sphere of knowledge or activity: »

a problem not in his orbit. They knew each other by sight, but their orbits did not touch (Arnold Bennett).

SYNONYM(S): field.

6. Figurative. the sphere of influence of a country, as in politics or trade: »

... its competitive ability to snare underdeveloped lands into its trade orbit (Newsweek).

7. a) the bony cavity or socket in which the eyeball is set. b) the eye; eyeball.

–v.t.

1. to travel in an orbit around (the earth or some other celestial body): »

Some artificial satellites can orbit the earth in less than an hour.

2. to put into an orbit: »

to orbit a satellite.

–v.i.

1. to travel in an orbit: »

The satellite itself will orbit around the earth for a period of days (New York Times).

2. (of a satellite or space station) to arrive in its orbit; achieve orbital velocity.

╂[< Latin orbita wheel track < orbis circle, wheel]