An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A domesticated ruminant mammal (Capra hircus) having backward curving horns and a beard especially in the male, raised for its wool, milk, and meat (TheFreeDictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. got, O.E. gat “she-goat;” cf. O.Saxon get, O.Norse geit, Dan. gjed, Du. geit, Ger. Geiss, Goth. gaits “goat,” from PIE *ghaid-o- “young goat.”

Etymology (PE): Boz “goat;” Mid.Pers. buz; Av. buza-; cf. Skt. bukka-; O.Ir. bocc; O.H.G. boc; Bret. bouc’h).

A domesticated ruminant mammal (Capra hircus) having backward curving horns and a beard especially in the male, raised for its wool, milk, and meat (TheFreeDictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. got, O.E. gat “she-goat;” cf. O.Saxon get, O.Norse geit, Dan. gjed, Du. geit, Ger. Geiss, Goth. gaits “goat,” from PIE *ghaid-o- “young goat.”

Etymology (PE): Boz “goat;” Mid.Pers. buz; Av. buza-; cf. Skt. bukka-; O.Ir. bocc; O.H.G. boc; Bret. bouc’h).

1. The Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the Universe.
   

2. (lowercase) A being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship (Merriam-Webster.com). See also: → fingers of God

Etymology (EN): M.E. from O.E. akin to O.H.G. got, Ger. Gott, O.N. guð, Goth. guþ, from PIE *g^heuH- “to call upon;” cf.
Av. zu- “to call, invoke;” O.Pers. (upa)zu- “to proclaim;”
Skt. hu-, variant hve- “to call upon, invoke,” huta- “invoked,” an epithet of Indra, from root *gheu(e)- “to call, invoke.”

Etymology (PE): Xodâ, xodây “god, lord, master;” Mid.Pers. xwadây “king, master;” Av. xvadāta- “autonomous” (darego.xvadāta- “highly autonomous”),
from xva-, → self- + dā- “to give, grant, yield” (Pers. dâdan, → datum); cf. Skt. svadhā- “inherent power, habitual power, self-placed,” from sva- “self,”

• dhā- “to place, fix, maintain”

1. The Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the Universe.
   

2. (lowercase) A being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship (Merriam-Webster.com). See also: → fingers of God

Etymology (EN): M.E. from O.E. akin to O.H.G. got, Ger. Gott, O.N. guð, Goth. guþ, from PIE *g^heuH- “to call upon;” cf.
Av. zu- “to call, invoke;” O.Pers. (upa)zu- “to proclaim;”
Skt. hu-, variant hve- “to call upon, invoke,” huta- “invoked,” an epithet of Indra, from root *gheu(e)- “to call, invoke.”

Etymology (PE): Xodâ, xodây “god, lord, master;” Mid.Pers. xwadây “king, master;” Av. xvadāta- “autonomous” (darego.xvadāta- “highly autonomous”),
from xva-, → self- + dā- “to give, grant, yield” (Pers. dâdan, → datum); cf. Skt. svadhā- “inherent power, habitual power, self-placed,” from sva- “self,”

• dhā- “to place, fix, maintain”

In numerical analysis and fluid dynamics, a conservative scheme for solving → partial differential equations based on utilizing the solution of the local → Riemann problem at each time step.

See also: Suggested by Sergei K. Godunov (1929-) in 1959, Math. Sbornik, 47, 271, translated 1969, US Joint Publ. Res. Service, JPRS 7226; → method.

In numerical analysis and fluid dynamics, a conservative scheme for solving → partial differential equations based on utilizing the solution of the local → Riemann problem at each time step.

See also: Suggested by Sergei K. Godunov (1929-) in 1959, Math. Sbornik, 47, 271, translated 1969, US Joint Publ. Res. Service, JPRS 7226; → method.

A yellow, → ductile  → metal which occurs naturally in veins and alluvial deposits associated with → quartz or → pyrite; symbol Au (L. aurum “shining dawn”). → Atomic number 79; → atomic weight 196.9665; → melting point 1,064.43 °C; → boiling point 2,808 °C; → specific gravity 19.32 at 20 °C.

Like other → chemical elements the gold found on Earth has an → interstellar origin. However, the new-born Earth was too hot and most of the molten gold, mixed with → iron, sank to its center to make the core during the first tens of millions of years. The removal of gold to the → Earth’s core should have left the Earth’s crust
depleted of gold. Nevertheless, the precious metal is tens to thousands of times more abundant in the → Earth’s mantle than predicted. One explanation for this over-abundance is the → Late Heavy Bombardment. Several hundred million years after the core formation a flux of → meteorites enriched the → Earth’s crust with gold (Willbold et al., 2011, Nature 477, 195).

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.E. gold, from P.Gmc. *gulth- (cf. O.H.G. gold, Ger. Gold, Du. goud, Dan. guld, Goth. gulþ), from PIE base *ghel-/*ghol- “yellow, green;” cf. Mod.Pers. zarr “gold,” see below.

Etymology (PE): Talâ “gold,” variants tala, tali.
Zarr “gold;” Mid.Pers. zarr; Av. zaranya-, zarənu- “gold;” O.Pers. daraniya- “gold;” cf. Skt. hiranya- “gold;” also Av. zaray-, zairi- “yellow, green;” Mod.Pers. zard “yellow;” Skt. hari- “yellow, green;” Gk. khloe literally “young green shoot;” L. helvus “yellowish, bay;” Rus. zeltyj “yellow;” P.Gmc. *gelwaz; Du. geel; Ger. gelb; E. yellow.

A yellow, → ductile  → metal which occurs naturally in veins and alluvial deposits associated with → quartz or → pyrite; symbol Au (L. aurum “shining dawn”). → Atomic number 79; → atomic weight 196.9665; → melting point 1,064.43 °C; → boiling point 2,808 °C; → specific gravity 19.32 at 20 °C.

Like other → chemical elements the gold found on Earth has an → interstellar origin. However, the new-born Earth was too hot and most of the molten gold, mixed with → iron, sank to its center to make the core during the first tens of millions of years. The removal of gold to the → Earth’s core should have left the Earth’s crust
depleted of gold. Nevertheless, the precious metal is tens to thousands of times more abundant in the → Earth’s mantle than predicted. One explanation for this over-abundance is the → Late Heavy Bombardment. Several hundred million years after the core formation a flux of → meteorites enriched the → Earth’s crust with gold (Willbold et al., 2011, Nature 477, 195).

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.E. gold, from P.Gmc. *gulth- (cf. O.H.G. gold, Ger. Gold, Du. goud, Dan. guld, Goth. gulþ), from PIE base *ghel-/*ghol- “yellow, green;” cf. Mod.Pers. zarr “gold,” see below.

Etymology (PE): Talâ “gold,” variants tala, tali.
Zarr “gold;” Mid.Pers. zarr; Av. zaranya-, zarənu- “gold;” O.Pers. daraniya- “gold;” cf. Skt. hiranya- “gold;” also Av. zaray-, zairi- “yellow, green;” Mod.Pers. zard “yellow;” Skt. hari- “yellow, green;” Gk. khloe literally “young green shoot;” L. helvus “yellowish, bay;” Rus. zeltyj “yellow;” P.Gmc. *gelwaz; Du. geel; Ger. gelb; E. yellow.

Every number greater than 2 is the sum of two → prime numbers. Goldbach’s number remains one of the most famous unsolved mathematical problems of today.

See also: Named after the German mathematician Christian Goldbach (1690-1764); → conjecture.

Every number greater than 2 is the sum of two → prime numbers. Goldbach’s number remains one of the most famous unsolved mathematical problems of today.

See also: Named after the German mathematician Christian Goldbach (1690-1764); → conjecture.

1. The number giving the position of any year in the lunar or → Metonic cycle of about 19 years. Each year has a golden number between 1 and 19. It is found by adding 1 to the given year and dividing by 19; the remainder in the division is the golden number. If there is no remainder the golden number is 19 (e.g., the golden number of 2007 is 13).
   

2. Same as → golden ratio.

See also: Golden, adj. of → gold; → number.

1. The number giving the position of any year in the lunar or → Metonic cycle of about 19 years. Each year has a golden number between 1 and 19. It is found by adding 1 to the given year and dividing by 19; the remainder in the division is the golden number. If there is no remainder the golden number is 19 (e.g., the golden number of 2007 is 13).
   

2. Same as → golden ratio.

See also: Golden, adj. of → gold; → number.

If a line segment is divided into a larger subsegment (a) and a smaller subsegment (b), when the larger subsegment is related to the smaller exactly as the whole segment is related to the larger segment, i.e. a/b = (a + b)/a. The golden ratio, a/b is usually represented by the Greek letter φ. It is also known as the divine ratio, the golden mean, the → golden number, and the golden section. It was believed by Greek mathematicians that a rectangle whose sides were in this proportion was the most pleasing to the eye. Similarly, the ratio of the radius to the side of a regular → decagon has this proportion. The numerical value of the golden ratio, given by the positive solution of the equation φ² - φ - 1 = 0, is φ = (1/2)(1 + √5),
approximately 1.618033989. The golden ratio is an → irrational number. It is closely related to the → Fibonacci sequence.

See also: → golden; → ratio.

If a line segment is divided into a larger subsegment (a) and a smaller subsegment (b), when the larger subsegment is related to the smaller exactly as the whole segment is related to the larger segment, i.e. a/b = (a + b)/a. The golden ratio, a/b is usually represented by the Greek letter φ. It is also known as the divine ratio, the golden mean, the → golden number, and the golden section. It was believed by Greek mathematicians that a rectangle whose sides were in this proportion was the most pleasing to the eye. Similarly, the ratio of the radius to the side of a regular → decagon has this proportion. The numerical value of the golden ratio, given by the positive solution of the equation φ² - φ - 1 = 0, is φ = (1/2)(1 + √5),
approximately 1.618033989. The golden ratio is an → irrational number. It is closely related to the → Fibonacci sequence.

See also: → golden; → ratio.

A → geochemical classification scheme in which → chemical elements on the → periodic table are divided into groups based on their → affinity to form various types of compounds: → lithophile, → chalcophile, → siderophile, and → atmophile. The classification takes into account the positions of the elements in the periodic table, the types of electronic structures of atoms and ions, the specifics of the appearance of an affinity for a particular → anion, and the position of a particular element on the → atomic volume curve.

See also: Developed by Victor Goldschmidt (1888-1947); → classification.

A → geochemical classification scheme in which → chemical elements on the → periodic table are divided into groups based on their → affinity to form various types of compounds: → lithophile, → chalcophile, → siderophile, and → atmophile. The classification takes into account the positions of the elements in the periodic table, the types of electronic structures of atoms and ions, the specifics of the appearance of an affinity for a particular → anion, and the position of a particular element on the → atomic volume curve.

See also: Developed by Victor Goldschmidt (1888-1947); → classification.

An extremely faint and broad ring (in fact two rings) of tiny particles around → Jupiter lying just outside the main ring.

Etymology (EN): Gossamer “a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear weather; an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used esp. for veils,” from M.E. gossomer, from gos “goose” + somer “summer.” Possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish, then transferred to the cobwebs frequent at that time of year; → ring.

Etymology (PE): Halqé, → ring; tanté “cobweb, spider’s web,” from tanidan “to spin, twist, weave” (Mid.Pers. tanitan; Av. tan- to stretch, extend;" cf. Skt. tan- to spin, stretch;" tanoti “stretches,” tantram “loom;” Gk. teinein “to stretch, pull tight;” L. tendere “to stretch;”
PIE base *ten- “to stretch”), Pers. târ “string,” tur “fishing net, net, snare,” and tâl “thread” (Borujerdi dialect) belong to this family; variants tanta “cobweb,” tanadu, tafen, kartané, kârtané, kâtené,
Pashtu tanistah “cobweb;” cf. Skt. tantu- “cobweb, thread, string.”

An extremely faint and broad ring (in fact two rings) of tiny particles around → Jupiter lying just outside the main ring.

Etymology (EN): Gossamer “a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear weather; an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used esp. for veils,” from M.E. gossomer, from gos “goose” + somer “summer.” Possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish, then transferred to the cobwebs frequent at that time of year; → ring.

Etymology (PE): Halqé, → ring; tanté “cobweb, spider’s web,” from tanidan “to spin, twist, weave” (Mid.Pers. tanitan; Av. tan- to stretch, extend;" cf. Skt. tan- to spin, stretch;" tanoti “stretches,” tantram “loom;” Gk. teinein “to stretch, pull tight;” L. tendere “to stretch;”
PIE base *ten- “to stretch”), Pers. târ “string,” tur “fishing net, net, snare,” and tâl “thread” (Borujerdi dialect) belong to this family; variants tanta “cobweb,” tanadu, tafen, kartané, kârtané, kâtené,
Pashtu tanistah “cobweb;” cf. Skt. tantu- “cobweb, thread, string.”

1. Talk about other people’s private or personal matters often including remarks that are unkind or untrue.
   

   2. Engage in gossip.

Etymology (EN): From M.E. gossib, godsib “a close friend or relation, a confidant,” from
O.E. godsibb, “godfather, godmother,” literally “a person related to one in God,” from god “→ God” + sibb “a relative,” → sibling. In M.E. the sense was “a close friend with whom one gossips,” hence “a person who gossips,” later “idle talk.”

Etymology (PE): Gotré, from Shirâzi gotré “idle talk, nonesence,” cf. (Qatrân, Damâvand) gotâré “loquacious,” related to goftan “to say, tell,” → promise.

1. Talk about other people’s private or personal matters often including remarks that are unkind or untrue.
   

   2. Engage in gossip.

Etymology (EN): From M.E. gossib, godsib “a close friend or relation, a confidant,” from
O.E. godsibb, “godfather, godmother,” literally “a person related to one in God,” from god “→ God” + sibb “a relative,” → sibling. In M.E. the sense was “a close friend with whom one gossips,” hence “a person who gossips,” later “idle talk.”

Etymology (PE): Gotré, from Shirâzi gotré “idle talk, nonesence,” cf. (Qatrân, Damâvand) gotâré “loquacious,” related to goftan “to say, tell,” → promise.

A band of hot, young stars (O and B types) and molecular clouds that stretches around the sky. It is
tilted by about 20 degrees with respect to the Galactic plane, and has a diameter of about 3000 light-years.

See also: Named after the American astronomer Benjamin A. Gould (1824-1896), who discovered it in 1879 by studying the distribution of the nearest luminous stars in space; → belt.

A band of hot, young stars (O and B types) and molecular clouds that stretches around the sky. It is
tilted by about 20 degrees with respect to the Galactic plane, and has a diameter of about 3000 light-years.

See also: Named after the American astronomer Benjamin A. Gould (1824-1896), who discovered it in 1879 by studying the distribution of the nearest luminous stars in space; → belt.

General: To rule over, to exercise authority.
Science: To serve as or constitute a law for, e.g. physical laws governing star formation, the Universe, and so on.
To regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. governer “to govern,” from L. gubernare “to direct, rule, guide,” originally “to steer,” from Gk. kybernan “to steer or pilot a ship” (the root of cybernetics).

Etymology (PE): Faršâyidan, from Av. fraxšā(y)- “to establish authority, to deploy lordship,” from fra- “forward, forth” (Av. pouruua- “first”; cf.
Skt. pūrva- “first,” pra- “before, formerly,” Gk. pro; L. pro; O.E. fyrst “foremost,” superlative of fore, from P.Gmc. *furisto; E. fore)

• xšā(y)- “to rule, have power,” xšayati “has power, rules,” xšāyô “power;” O.Pers. xša- “to rule,” pati-xša- “to have lordship over,” Xšyāršan- “hero among kings” or “ruling over heroes” the proper name of the Achaemenid emperor Hellenized as Xerxes, upari.xšay- “to rule over,” xšāyaθiya- “king;” Mid.Pers. šâh “king,” pâdixšâ(y) “ruler; powerful; authoritative;”
  Mod.Pers. šâh “king,” pâdšâh “protecting lord, emperor, monarch, king,” šâyestan “to be worth, suit, fit;” cf. Skt. ksā- “to rule, have power,” ksáyati “possesses;” Gk. ktaomai “I acquire,” ktema “piece of property;” PIE base *tkeh- “to own, obtain.”

General: To rule over, to exercise authority.
Science: To serve as or constitute a law for, e.g. physical laws governing star formation, the Universe, and so on.
To regulate the speed of (an engine) with a governor.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. governer “to govern,” from L. gubernare “to direct, rule, guide,” originally “to steer,” from Gk. kybernan “to steer or pilot a ship” (the root of cybernetics).

Etymology (PE): Faršâyidan, from Av. fraxšā(y)- “to establish authority, to deploy lordship,” from fra- “forward, forth” (Av. pouruua- “first”; cf.
Skt. pūrva- “first,” pra- “before, formerly,” Gk. pro; L. pro; O.E. fyrst “foremost,” superlative of fore, from P.Gmc. *furisto; E. fore)

• xšā(y)- “to rule, have power,” xšayati “has power, rules,” xšāyô “power;” O.Pers. xša- “to rule,” pati-xša- “to have lordship over,” Xšyāršan- “hero among kings” or “ruling over heroes” the proper name of the Achaemenid emperor Hellenized as Xerxes, upari.xšay- “to rule over,” xšāyaθiya- “king;” Mid.Pers. šâh “king,” pâdixšâ(y) “ruler; powerful; authoritative;”
  Mod.Pers. šâh “king,” pâdšâh “protecting lord, emperor, monarch, king,” šâyestan “to be worth, suit, fit;” cf. Skt. ksā- “to rule, have power,” ksáyati “possesses;” Gk. ktaomai “I acquire,” ktema “piece of property;” PIE base *tkeh- “to own, obtain.”

The way that a city, company, etc., is controlled by the people who run it (Merriam-Webster.com).

See also: → govern; → -ance.

The way that a city, company, etc., is controlled by the people who run it (Merriam-Webster.com).

See also: → govern; → -ance.

1. The act or process of governing; specifically: authoritative direction or control.
   

   2. The organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it.
      

   3. The complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out (Merriam-Webster.com).

See also: → govern; → -ment.

1. The act or process of governing; specifically: authoritative direction or control.
   

   2. The organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it.
      

   3. The complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out (Merriam-Webster.com).

See also: → govern; → -ment.

A regulating device for maintaining uniform speed regardless of changes of load, as by controlling the supply of gas, steam, fuel, etc.

See also: Agent noun from → govern; → -or.

A regulating device for maintaining uniform speed regardless of changes of load, as by controlling the supply of gas, steam, fuel, etc.

See also: Agent noun from → govern; → -or.