Milky Way

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See also: Milky-Way

English

Etymology

From Middle English Milky Wey, a calque of Latin Via Lactea (literally milky road), referring to its appearance as a pale band of stars across the sky. Compare also Old English Īringes weġ (Milky Way), Old Norse Mjólkrhringr (Milky Way, literally milk-ring, milk-circle).

Proper noun

Milky Way

  1. (astronomy) The Milky Way Galaxy, the galaxy in which Earth is located; extension of the night sky phenomenon.
    Synonyms: Milky Way Galaxy, Galaxy, Local Galaxy
  2. (astronomy) A broad band of diffuse white light, visible in the night sky; our view of the dense portions of the Milky Way Galaxy from inside the galaxy. [from late 14th c.]
    Synonyms: Silvery River, Great Sky River

Translations

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Further reading