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orbit

or·bit [ áwrbit ]


noun  (plural or·bits)
Definition:
 
1. path of planet, satellite, or moon: the path that an astronomical object such as a planet, moon, or satellite follows around a larger astronomical object such as the Sun

2. revolution of astronomical object: a single revolution of an astronomical object around a larger astronomical object

3. area of interest: a sphere of interest, influence, or activity

4. anatomy eye socket: the round cavity in which an eye is located in the skull of a vertebrate

5. physics electron path around atom nucleus: the path that an electron takes as it moves around the nucleus of an atom



verb  (past and past participle or·bit·ed, present participle or·bit·ing, 3rd person present singular or·bits)
Definition:
 
1. transitive and intransitive verb move around astronomical object: to move around an astronomical object in a path dictated by the force of gravity exerted by that body

2. transitive verb put something into astronomical orbit: to send something, especially a spacecraft or an artificial satellite, into orbit

3. intransitive verb follow regular path: to move regularly or repeatedly along the same path, especially a circular path

[Mid-16th century. < Latin orbita "wheel-track"]

go into orbit to become suddenly extremely angry and upset (slang)

put somebody into orbit U.S. to make somebody suddenly extremely angry or upset (slang)

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