An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A → spiral galaxy oriented edge-on to our view. → face-on galaxy.

Etymology (EN): → edge; on, from O.E. on, variant of an “in, on, into”
(cf. Du. aan; Ger. an; Goth. ana “on, upon”), from PIE base *ano “on” (cf. Av. ana “on;” Gk. ana “on, upon;” L. an-); → galaxy.

Etymology (PE): Kahkašân, → galaxy; pahlunemâ “showing the side,” from pahlu, → side, + nemâ, from nemudan “to show, display,” → display.