How Do You Spell PLANETOIDS?

Pronunciation: [plˈanɪtˌɔ͡ɪdz] (IPA)

Planetoids, also known as minor planets, are small celestial bodies that orbit the sun. The spelling of the word is based on the Greek root word "planetes," meaning wanderer or traveler. The phonetic transcription of the word is /plænɪtɔɪdz/, with emphasis on the second syllable. Each letter in the word has a distinct sound that contributes to its overall pronunciation. Despite being a relatively uncommon term, planetoids play a crucial role in our understanding of the solar system and the universe.

PLANETOIDS Meaning and Definition

1. Planetoids are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun, similar to planets, but have smaller size and mass. They are also known as minor planets or dwarf planets. These objects share certain characteristics with both planets and asteroids, placing them somewhere in between in terms of physical properties and characteristics.

   Planetoids typically have a diameter ranging from a few kilometers to a few thousand kilometers, much smaller compared to regular planets. They lack the gravitational dominance to clear their orbits of other debris like asteroids, but are larger than most asteroids. Due to their smaller size, planetoids often have irregular shapes and may exhibit a variety of surface features such as craters, valleys, and mountains.

   They can be found mainly in the asteroid belt, a region located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, or in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond the orbit of Neptune. Some well-known planetoids include Ceres, which is the largest object in the asteroid belt and was classified as a dwarf planet in 2006, and Pluto, formerly considered the ninth planet in our solar system until its reclassification as a dwarf planet.

   The study of planetoids is of great interest to scientists, as they provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.

2. A name given to those small bodies found by astronomers revolving in the space between Mars and Jupiter.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PLANETOIDS

• plabetoids

Etymology of PLANETOIDS

The word "planetoid" comes from the combination of two words: "planet" and "-oid".

The term "planet" has its roots in ancient Greek. The Greek word "planētēs" means "wanderer" or "wandering star". In ancient times, the observed celestial objects that moved against the backdrop of the fixed stars were called planets.

The suffix "-oid" is derived from the Greek word "oeidēs", meaning "resembling" or "like". It is commonly used to form words that describe something resembling another thing.

Therefore, "planetoid" essentially means "resembling or like a planet". This term was coined to describe small celestial bodies that resemble planets but are smaller in size. Planetoids are commonly referred to as small celestial bodies or minor planets, which include asteroids and dwarf planets.