orbital

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːbɪt(ə)l/

adjective

  • relating to an orbit or orbits.
  • British (of a road) passing round the outside of a town.

noun

  • 1British an orbital road.
  • 2 Physics each of the actual or potential patterns of electron density which may be formed in an atom or molecule by one or more electrons, and can be represented as a wave function.

Derivatives

orbitally

adverb

Origin:

mid 16th century (referring to the eye socket): probably from medieval Latin orbitalis, from Latin orbita (see orbit)