Halley's comet
/ˌhæliːz ˈkɒmɪt/ name
name ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Proper Noun
- 1 A great comet which can be seen from Earth every 75–76 years.
"In the London papers of May 3 we have the following accounts […] It had a short broad tail in a direction opposite the sun ; as Dr Halley's comet ought to have ; being much foreshortened […]"
- 2 Alternative form of Halley's Comet. alt-of, alternative
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"In the London papers of May 3 we have the following accounts […] It had a short broad tail in a direction opposite the sun ; as Dr Halley's comet ought to have ; being much foreshortened […]"
Etymology
Circa 1758. Named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who first computed its orbit and established its periodicity. Halley predicted the return of the comet (then last seen in 1682) in 1705; when it did return in late 1758, it quickly acquired this name.