astronomy: [13] Astronomy comes via Old French and Latin from Greek astronomíā, a derivative of the verb astronomein, literally ‘watch the stars’. Greek ástron and astér ‘star’ (whence English astral [17] and asterisk [17]) came ultimately from the Indo-European base *ster-, which also produced Latin stella ‘star’, German stern ‘star’, and English star.
The second element of the compound, which came from the verb némein, meant originally ‘arrange, distribute’. At first, no distinction was made between astronomy and astrology. Indeed, in Latin astrologia was the standard term for the study of the stars until Seneca introduced the Greek term astronomia. When the two terms first coexisted in English (astrology entered the language about a century later than astronomy) they were used interchangeably, and in fact when a distinction first began to be recognized between the two it was the opposite of that now accepted: astrology meant simply ‘observation’, whereas astronomy signified ‘divination’.
The current assignment of sense was not fully established until the 17th century. => asterisk, astral, star
astronomy (n.)
c. 1200, from Old French astrenomie, from Latin astronomia, from Greek astronomia, literally "star arrangement," from astron "star" (see astro-) + nomos "arranging, regulating," related to nemein "to deal out" (see numismatic). Used earlier than astrology and originally including it.
Þer wes moni god clarc to lokien in þan leofte, to lokien i þan steorren nehʒe and feorren. þe craft is ihate Astronomie. [Layamon, "The Brut," c. 1200]
双语例句
1. The discovery is being hailed as The Holy Grail of astronomy.
这一发现圆了天文学界的一个梦想。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Scientists are trying to pull together disparate ideas in astronomy.
科学家们正试图将天文学中的各派观点整合在一起。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Speaking generally, the space enterprise has served astronomy well.
总的说来，航空企业很好地促进了天文学的发展。
来自柯林斯例句
4. We are on the threshold of a new era in astronomy.