nebula
UK: ˈnɛbjʊlə | US: ˈnɛbjələ
n. a cloud of gas or dust in outer space, visible in the night sky either as an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette against other luminous matter.
n. (archaic) a clouded or opaque spot in the cornea or lens of the eye.
nebula = neb<cloud> + ula<diminutive suffix>
- neb<cloud>: From Latin nebula ("mist, cloud"), derived from Proto-Indo-European nebh- ("cloud, fog").
- ula<diminutive suffix>: A Latin suffix indicating smallness or endearment (e.g., animalcula from animal).
Etymology Origin:
The word nebula traces back to Latin, where it originally meant "mist" or "cloud." The diminutive suffix -ula subtly softens the term, reflecting its celestial application to faint, diffuse clouds in space. Over time, its meaning narrowed from general atmospheric mist to astronomical phenomena, retaining the core idea of a hazy, cloud-like structure.
The Orion Nebula is a stellar nursery where new stars are born.
Through the telescope, the nebula appeared as a glowing swirl of gas.
Ancient astronomers documented nebulae as "fuzzy stars" in their records.
The doctor diagnosed a nebula in the patient’s cornea, affecting their vision.
Photographs from the Hubble Telescope reveal intricate details within the nebula.