orbiter Definition

orbit
noun

1. astron.
In space: the elliptical path of one celestial body around another, eg the Earth's orbit around the Sun, or of an artificial satellite or spacecraft, etc around a celestial body.
Thesaurus: path, circuit, course, cycle, lap, apogee, perigee, revolution.
2. physics.
The path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom.
3. A sphere of influence or action.

Thesaurus: range, field, compass, circle, boundary, limit; province, precinct, circumference, arena, area.
4. anatomy.
In the skull of vertebrates: one of the two bony hollows in which the eyeball is situated; an eye socket.
5. zool.
The area surrounding the eye of a bird or insect.

verb orbited, orbiting

1. Said of a celestial body, or a spacecraft, etc: to circle (the Earth or another planet, etc) in space.

Thesaurus: revolve around, ring, encircle, circle, encompass.
2. Said of an aircraft: to fly in a circle around a given point.
intr
3. To move in or go into orbit.
4. To put (a spacecraft, etc) into orbit.

Derivative: orbiter
noun

A spacecraft or satellite that orbits the Earth or another planet but does not land on it.

Etymology: 1940s as verb; 16c as noun: from Latin orbitus, from orbis circle.