comet
Syllabification: (com·et)
Pronunciation: /ˈkämit/
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Definition of comet
noun
- a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.
Originating in the remotest regions of the solar system, most comets follow regular eccentric orbits and appear in the inner solar system as periodic comets, some of which break up and can be the origin of annual meteor showers. They were formerly considered to be supernatural omens
Derivatives
Origin:
late Old English, from Latin cometa, from Greek komētēs 'long-haired (star)', from komē 'hair'; reinforced by Old French comete
