galaxy-scale
|gal-ax-y-scale|
/ˈɡæləksiˌskeɪl/
as large as a galaxy
Etymology
'galaxy-scale' originates from Modern English by combining 'galaxy' + 'scale'. 'galaxy' comes via Latin and Greek, and 'scale' comes from Latin 'scala' meaning 'ladder' and later 'scale' meaning 'size' or 'degree'.
'galaxy' originates from Greek 'galaxias' (related to 'gala' meaning 'milk') referring originally to the Milky Way; it entered English via Latin and Medieval/Modern usage. 'scale' comes from Latin 'scala' and Old French 'escale', evolving into the English word 'scale' with senses including 'ladder', 'series', and 'degree'. The compound 'galaxy-scale' is a modern English formation combining these nouns to indicate a magnitude comparable to a galaxy.
Initially, 'galaxy' primarily referred to the Milky Way, but over time it came to mean any large system of stars (a galaxy). 'Scale' shifted from a literal 'ladder/steps' sense to abstract senses of size or degree. Combined, 'galaxy-scale' developed to mean 'on the order or magnitude of a galaxy' (very large).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the scale, size, or extent of a galaxy; the characteristic magnitude or dimensions when considered at galaxy-level.
Measuring the galaxy scale helps astronomers compare structures across the universe.
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Adjective 1
relating to or measuring on the scale of a galaxy; extremely large in size, extent, or magnitude (comparable to a galaxy).
Researchers modeled galaxy-scale magnetic fields to study their effects on star formation.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 22:28