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Definition of planetarium - 2 dictionary results

plan⋅e⋅tar⋅i⋅um

[plan-i-tair-ee-uhm]
–noun, plural -tar⋅i⋅ums, -tar⋅i⋅a [-tair-ee-uh] .
1. an apparatus or model representing the planetary system.
2. a device that produces a representation of the heavens by the use of a number of moving projectors.
3. the building or room in which such a device is housed.

Origin:
1765–75; < NL, n. use of neut. of L planētārius planetary; cf. -arium
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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plan·e·tar·i·um   (plān'ĭ-târ'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. plan·e·tar·i·ums or plan·e·tar·i·a (-ē-ə)
  1. An apparatus or model representing the solar system.

    1. An optical device for projecting images of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena onto the inner surface of a hemispherical dome.

    2. A building or room containing a planetarium, with seats for an audience.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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