Langimage
English

orbiter

|or/bit/er|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈɔːrbɪtər/

🇬🇧

/ˈɔːbɪtə/

spacecraft in orbit

Etymology
Etymology Information

'orbiter' originates from the Latin word 'orbita', meaning 'course' or 'track'.

Historical Evolution

'orbita' transformed into the French word 'orbite', and eventually became the modern English word 'orbit', from which 'orbiter' is derived.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a path or track', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a spacecraft designed to orbit'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a spacecraft designed to go into orbit, especially one not intended to land.

The orbiter was launched to study the planet's atmosphere.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35