King James Bible Dictionary

See Astronomy; Stars
Astronomy; Stars

PLAN'ET, noun [Latin planeta; Gr. wandering, to wander, allied to Latin planus. See Plant.] A celestial body which revolves about the sun or other center, or a body revolving about another planet as its center. The planets which revolve about the sun as their center, are called primary planets; those which revolve about other planets as their center, and with them revolve about the sun, are called secondary planets, satellites or moons. The primary planets are named Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Herschell. Four smaller planets, denominated by some, asteroids, namely, Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, have recently been discovered between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Herschell, being without the earth's orbit, are sometimes called the superior planets; Venus and Mercury, being within the earth's orbit, are called inferior planets. The planets are opake bodies which receive their light from the sun. They are so named from their motion or revolution, in distinction from the fixed stars, and are distinguished from the latter by their not twinkling.

PLANETA'RIUM, noun An astronomical machine which, by the movement of its parts, represents the motions and orbits of the planets, agreeable to the Copernican system.

PLAN'ETARY, adjective Pertaining to the planets; as planetary inhabitants; planetary motions.

1. Consisting of planets; as a planetary system.

2. Under the dominion or influence of a planet; as a planetary hour. [Astrology.]

3. Produced by planets; as planetary plague or influence.

4. Having the nature of a planet; erratic or revolving.

Planetary days, the days of the week as shared among the planets, each having its day, as we name the days of the week after the planets.

PLAN'ETED, adjective Belonging to planets.

PLANET'ICAL, adjective Pertaining to planets. [Not used.]

PLAN'ET-STRUCK, adjective Affected by the influence of planets; blasted.