Astronomer
/əˈstrɒn.ə.mər/noun
A person who studies celestial objects, space, and the universe.
Did you know?The word comes through Greek and Latin from a root meaning “star” plus “law/custom,” so early astronomy was literally about interpreting the order of the heavens, not just measuring them.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂stḗr
“star”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀστήρ (astḗr)
“star”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀστρονομία (astronomía)
“the ordering or law of the stars; astronomy”
Late Latin
Latin
astronomus
“astronomer; one who studies the stars”
Old French
Old French
astronome
“astronomer”
Middle English
English
astronomer
“a student or interpreter of the stars”