nebula
nounattested in dialogue
- Canada//ˈnɛb.jə.lə//
- Canada//ˈnɛb.jʌ.lʌ//
- Australia//ˈneb.jə.lə//
- India//ˈnɛ(ː)b.ju.la//
A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).
noun
- 1
A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).
Approximately 5 billion years ago, our solar nebula was formed as gravitational forces pulled interstellar gas and dust into a swirling mass around out newly formed sun.
- 2
archaicA white spot or slight opacity of the cornea.
- 3
obsoleteA cloudy appearance in the urine.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin nebula (“little cloud, mist”). First attested in 1655. Akin to Ancient Greek νεφέλη (nephélē, “cloud”), German Nebel (“mist, nebula”), Old Norse nifl, Polish niebo (“sky, heaven”), Russian не́бо (nébo, “sky”).
Forms
- plural
- nebulae, nebulas, nebulæ
nebula · A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).
necessarily · Inevitably; of necessity.necessary · Required, essential, whether logically inescapable or needed…Necessary · A surname.