orbit

orbit (ˈɔːbɪt)

—n
1.	astronomy the curved path, usually elliptical, followed by a planet, satellite, comet, etc, in its motion around another celestial body under the influence of gravitation
2.	a range or field of action or influence; sphere: he is out of my orbit
3.	anatomy Nontechnical name: eye socket the bony cavity containing the eyeball
4.	zoology
	a. the skin surrounding the eye of a bird
	b. the hollow in which lies the eye or eyestalk of an insect or other arthropod
5.	physics the path of an electron in its motion around the nucleus of an atom

—vb
6.	to move around (a body) in a curved path, usually circular or elliptical
7.	(tr) to send (a satellite, spacecraft, etc) into orbit
8.	(intr) to move in or as if in an orbit

[C16: from Latin orbita course, from orbis circle, orb]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

orbit

late 14c., "the eye socket," from M.L. orbita, transferred use of L. orbita "wheel track, course, orbit" (see orb). Astronomical sense first recorded 1690s in English; it was in classical L., revived in Gerard of Cremona's transl. of Avicenna. The verb is attested from 1946, from the noun.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

orbit or·bit (ôr'bĭt)
n.
See orbital cavity.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage

Science Dictionary

orbit

(ôr'bĭt) Pronunciation Key
Noun

The path followed by a celestial body or artificial satellite as it revolves around another body due to the force of gravity. Orbits are nearly elliptical or circular in shape and are very closely approximated by Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
One complete revolution of such a body. See Note at solar system.
A stable quantum state of an electron (or other particle) in motion around an atomic nucleus. See more at orbital.
Either of two bony hollows in the skull containing the eye and its associated structures.

Verb

To move in an orbit around another body.
To put into an orbit, as a satellite is put into orbit around the Earth.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

orbit definition

In astronomy, the path followed by an object revolving around another object, under the influence of gravitation (see satellite). In physics, the path followed by an electron within an atom. The planets follow elliptical orbits around the sun (see ellipse).

Note: Informally, something is “in orbit” when its actions are controlled by an external agency or force: “The countries of eastern Europe were once in the orbit of the Soviet Union.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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FOLDOC

Computing Dictionary