asteroid

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
adjective shaped like a star

From aster + -oid, lit. "star-like". Coined by William Herschel.

"They prospected the asteroids together years ago." — On the Trail of the Space Pirates, Carey Rockwell
"But why are we going to the asteroids?" — Plague Ship, Andre Norton
Eleanore wanted to know what an asteroid was. — The Goose Man, Jakob Wassermann

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