Cosmonaut
/ˈkɒz.mə.nɔːt/noun
An astronaut trained for space travel, particularly in the Soviet or Russian context.
Did you know?The term 'cosmonaut' not only signifies a space traveler but also embodies the ancient belief of humans as 'navigators of the cosmos'.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κόσμος (kósmos)
“Order, harmony, or the universe.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ναύτης (naftēs)
“Sailor or navigator.”
19th Century
Russian
космонавт (kosmonavt)
“A term combining 'cosmos' and 'naut', referring to space travelers.”
20th Century
English
cosmonaut
“Adopted into English from Russian, specifically denoting Soviet space travelers.”
Explore more surprising origins