French Conversation · Level 30
89 words
French word
orbite
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔʁbit/
Meaning
- feminine nounorbit
Example
L'orbite de la Terre est presque circulaire.
The Earth's orbit is almost circular.
More examples
Le médecin a examiné l'orbite.
The doctor examined the eye socket.
Core concept
A ring-shaped path or hollow arranged around a central object.
Common phrases
en orbite
in orbit
orbite terrestre
Earth's orbit
orbite basse
low orbit
Similar words
trajectoire: The path taken by an object as it moves.
révolution: A movement that carries an object once around a central point.
circuit: A circular route or track for repeated travel.
Definition in French
Courbe décrite par un objet qui tourne autour d'un autre sous l'action de la gravité ; en anatomie, cavité osseuse contenant l'œil.
Word origin
French orbite comes from Latin orbita, 'wheel track' or 'orbit', from orbis, 'circle'; this links the circular route with the rounded anatomical cavity.
Usage tips
- Orbite is feminine, so standard forms include une orbite and l'orbite, with elision before the vowel.
Other meanings
- eye socketnoun
Related words
- orbiterorbitverb
- orbitalorbitaladjective