orrery

Noun

Meaning

An apparatus which illustrates, by the revolution of balls moved by wheelwork, the relative size, periodic motions, positions, orbits, etc., of bodies in the solar system.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

observatory scout centre planetarium planet observer telescope planetary astronomer reflector astrolabe cosmography spectroscope watcher global
Show all synonyms

Hypernyms

planetarium

Derivatives

orreries

Anagrams

errory

Examples

The dog, the rabbit and the hoop all feature in the painting, and take the place of the orrery. Kit Williams

But Dr. Smith says, and I believe it to be a true state of the case, that he himself gave a course of Lectures in Natural Philosophy, during the same winter, and that the money raised by them was also applied towards paying for the Orrery. David Rittenhouse

An orrery should properly include the Sun, the Earth and the Moon (plus optionally other planets). Source: Internet

Richard of Wallingford (1292–1336), abbot of St. Alban's abbey, famously built a mechanical clock as an astronomical orrery about 1330. Source: Internet

In popular culture * A large orrery is a key feature in the climactic scene of the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001). Source: Internet

A grand orrery is one that includes the outer planets known at the time of its construction. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

Orrego Orrell Orren orrice Orrick Orrico