n. [ OE. planete, F. planète, L. planeta, fr. Gr. &unr_;, and &unr_; a planet; prop. wandering, fr. &unr_; to wander, fr. &unr_; a wandering. ]
☞ The term planet was first used to distinguish those stars which have an apparent motion through the constellations from the fixed stars, which retain their relative places unchanged. The inferior planets are Mercury and Venus, which are nearer to the sun than is the earth; the superior planets are Mars, the asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which are farther from the sun than is the earth. Primary planets are those which revolve about the sun; secondary planets, or moons, are those which revolve around the primary planets as satellites, and at the same time revolve with them about the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]
There's some ill planet reigns. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Planet gear. (Mach.)
Planet wheel,
n. [ NL.: cf. F. planétaire. See Planetary. ] An orrery. See Orrery. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. L. planetarius an astrologer, F. planétaire planetary. See Planet. ]
Planetary days,
Planetary nebula,
a. Belonging to planets. [ R. ] Young. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Planet + -oid. ] (Astron.) A body resembling a planet; an asteroid. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pertaining to a planetoid. [ 1913 Webster ]
Like planet-stricken men of yore
He trembles, smitten to the core
By strong compunction and remorse. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A little planet. [ R. ] Conybeare. [ 1913 Webster ]