Galaxies
/ˈɡæl.æk.siːz/noun
Large systems of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.
Did you know?The root behind *galaxy* comes from Greek *gála* “milk,” so the Milky Way was once imagined as a milky river splashed across the heavens.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷelH-
“to swell, to be full; source of words for milk and related nourishment”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γάλα (gála)
“milk”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γαλαξίας κύκλος (galaxías kýklos)
“the milky circle; the Milky Way”
Late Latin
Latin
galaxias
“the Milky Way”
Old French
Old French
galaxie
“the Milky Way”
Modern English
English
galaxy
“a star system; originally the Milky Way”
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