orbital
/'ɔ:bitl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to the orbit of the eye: Pertaining to the bony cavity in the skull that contains the eyeball.
- Relating to the path of a celestial object or spacecraft: Pertaining to the curved path, typically elliptical, followed by an object (like a planet, moon, or satellite) around a star, planet, or moon due to gravity.
Usage Examples
Adjective (Eye):
- The patient suffered an orbital fracture after the accident.
- Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection of the tissues surrounding the eye.
Adjective (Celestial/Physical Path):
- The satellite achieved orbital velocity and entered a stable orbit around Earth.
- Scientists calculated the planet's orbital period, which is 687 Earth days.
Advanced Usage
"Orbital mechanics": The field of study that deals with the motions of artificial satellites and spacecraft, governed by the laws of celestial mechanics.
- A deep understanding of orbital mechanics is essential for mission planning.
"Orbital resonance": A situation in celestial mechanics where orbiting bodies exert a regular, periodic gravitational influence on each other.
- Pluto and Neptune are in a 3:2 orbital resonance.
Variants and Related Words
Orbit (n/v): The path itself, or to move in such a path.
- The International Space Station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes.
Orbiter (n): A spacecraft designed to orbit a planet or moon without landing on it.
- The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been studying the Martian surface since 2006.
Synonyms
- For eye-related: Periorbital (specifically around the orbit).
- For path-related: Trajectory (though this often implies a path that is not necessarily closed or repeating like an orbit).
Related Phrases
"Go into orbit" (idiom): To become very angry or excited.
- When he heard the news, he went into orbit.
"Orbital decay": The process of a satellite's gradual loss of altitude due to atmospheric drag or other forces, leading to its re-entry.
- The defunct satellite is experiencing orbital decay and will burn up in the atmosphere soon.
Adjective
- of or relating to the eye socket
- orbital scale
- orbital arch
- of or relating to an orbit
- orbital revolution
- orbital velocity