Interstellar
/ˌɪn.təˈstel.ər/noun
Existing or occurring between stars.
Did you know?The word combines Latin inter, meaning “between,” with stella, “star,” linking modern space science to the same ancient star-root behind astrology and disaster.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂stḗr
“Star; a celestial body seen in the night sky”
Ancient Greek
Greek
astḗr
“Star”
Classical Latin
Latin
stella
“Star”
Classical Latin
Latin
inter
“Between or among”
19th Century
English
interstellar
“Situated between stars”
Modern English
English
interstellar
“Existing or occurring between stars”