orbit has definitions from the fields of anatomy,zoology,astronomy,transportation
1
[ noun ] (astronomy,transportation) the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another

Synonyms

celestial_orbit

Examples

"he plotted the orbit of the moon"

Used in print

("Editorials"...)

Thus , when the Russians sent up their first sputnik , American chagrin was human enough , and American determination to put American satellites into orbit was perfectly understandable .

(J. F. Vedder, "Micrometeorites", in Francis S. J...)

The radial velocity varies inversely as the particle size - a 1000 - � m diameter particle near the orbit of Mars would reach the sun in about 60 million years .

The Poynting-Robertson effect causes the semi major_axis of orbits to diminish more rapidly than the semi-minor_axis , with a consequent tendency toward circular orbits as the particles move toward the sun .

The Poynting-Robertson effect causes the semi major_axis of orbits to diminish more rapidly than the semi-minor_axis , with a consequent tendency toward circular orbits as the particles move toward the sun .

At one astronomical_unit from the sun ( the Earth 's distance ) the dust orbits are probably nearly circular .

2
[ verb ] move in an orbit, as of celestial bodies

Synonyms

revolve

Examples

: "The moon orbits around the Earth" "The planets are orbiting the sun"

Used in print

(J. F. Vedder, "Micrometeorites", in Francis S. J...)

The velocity value used is also open_to some question ; if a substantial fraction of the dust is orbiting about the Earth , only about one_third the above_mentioned average velocity should be used in deriving the mass .

3
[ noun ] a particular environment or walk of life

Examples

"his social sphere is limited" "it was a closed area of employment" "he's out of my orbit"

Used in print

(Barry Goldwater, "A Foreign Policy for America"...)

Today , Africa is swerving violently away from the West and plunging , it would seem , into the Soviet orbit .

4
[ noun ] an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control

Examples

: "the range of a supersonic jet" within the scope of an investigation" "outside the reach of the law" "in the political orbit of a world power"

Used in print

(Barry Goldwater, "A Foreign Policy for America"...)

Freedom , in the sense of self-determination , is a worthy objective ; but if granting self-determination to the Algerian rebels entails sweeping that area into the Sino-Soviet orbit , then Algerian freedom must be postponed .

5
[ noun ] (transportation) the path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom

Synonyms

electron_orbit

Related terms

path

6
[ noun ] (anatomy,zoology) the bony cavity in the skull containing the eyeball
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