halleys comet
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iz noun
a comet with a period averaging 76 years. In this century it was visible to terrestrial observers just before and after reaching perihelion in 1910 and again in 1986.
Origin:
named after Edmund Halley, who first predicted its return
named after Edmund Halley, who first predicted its return
Pronunciation note
The common pronunciation for both the comet and the astronomer after whom it is named is
[hal-ee] . This is the pronunciation usually recommended by astronomers. However, several variant spellings of the name, including Hailey, Haley, and Hawley, were used interchangeably during the astronomer's own time, a period when spellings even of proper names were not yet fixed, and corresponding pronunciations have survived. The pronunciation [hey-lee] in particular remains associated with Halley's comet ; it is less likely to be heard as a pronunciation of Edmund Halley .
The common pronunciation for both the comet and the astronomer after whom it is named is
[hal-ee] . This is the pronunciation usually recommended by astronomers. However, several variant spellings of the name, including Hailey, Haley, and Hawley, were used interchangeably during the astronomer's own time, a period when spellings even of proper names were not yet fixed, and corresponding pronunciations have survived. The pronunciation [hey-lee] in particular remains associated with Halley's comet ; it is less likely to be heard as a pronunciation of Edmund Halley .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To halleys comet
00:10
Halleys comet
is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Halley's Comet (ˈhælɪz) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a comet revolving around the sun in a period of about 76 years, last seen in 1985--86 | |
| Halley's Comet (ˈhælɪz) | |
| —n | |
| a comet revolving around the sun in a period of about 76 years, last seen in 1985--86 | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| Halley's comet (hāl'ēz, hā'lēz) Pronunciation Key
A short-period comet that orbits the Sun once every 76 years. It is visible to the unaided eye and last appeared in 1986, when close observation by spacecraft showed that its nucleus measures about 16 km (10 mi) by 8 km (5 mi) and is composed of water ice, stony minerals, and organic compounds. Its next appearance will be in the year 2061. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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