Triton (Moon)
/ˈtraɪ.tən/noun
Triton is Neptune’s largest moon and the seventh-largest moon in the Solar System.
Did you know?Triton’s retrograde orbit strongly suggests it was captured from the Kuiper Belt rather than forming alongside Neptune, making it a planetary-scale cosmic trespasser.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tréyes
“Three; a reconstructed Indo-European numeral root possibly connected with the disputed etymology of the name Triton.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Τρίτων (Trítōn)
“Triton, the divine son or messenger of Poseidon and Amphitrite, associated with the sea and commonly depicted blowing a conch shell.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρίτος (trítos)
“Third; a possible linguistic connection sometimes proposed for Τρίτων, though the origin of the deity’s name remains uncertain.”
1846
English
Triton
“Name given to Neptune’s largest satellite after its discovery by English astronomer William Lassell.”
Modern English
English
Triton
“Neptune’s major moon, notable for its retrograde orbit, icy surface, and nitrogen geysers.”