An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An object to be observed with a telescope.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from M.Fr. targuete, from O.Fr. targe “light shield,” from Frank. *targa “shield” (cf. O.H.G. zarga “edging, border,” Ger. Zarge “edge, border”).

Etymology (PE): Âmâj “aim, goal,” from Proto-Iranian base *āma-, from prefix *ā- + *ma- “to measure;” cf. Av. mati- “point, tip;” O.Pers./Av. mā(y)- “to measure;” Pers. mun/mân “measure,” as in Pers. terms pirâmun “perimeter,”
âzmun “test, trial,” peymân “measuring, agreement,” peymâné “a measure; a cup, bowl;” cf. Skt. mati “measures,” matra- “measure,” Gk. metron “measure,” L. metrum; PIE base *me- “to measure.”