Protoplanet
/ˌproʊ.toʊˈplæn.ɪt/noun
A large body of matter in a young planetary system that may develop into a planet.
Did you know?The “planet” part comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “wanderer,” because planets appeared to roam against the fixed stars.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward; toward the front—an ancestral root associated with priority and precedence.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
prōtos
“First; earliest; foremost.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
planētēs
“Wanderer, referring to a celestial body that moves against the background of fixed stars.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
planēta
“Planet; a wandering heavenly body, borrowed from Greek.”
17th Century
English
proto-
“A combining form meaning first, earliest, or primitive, from Greek prōtos.”
19th Century
English
protoplanet
“A developing planetary body formed from matter orbiting a young star.”