nebula

Meaning

1. A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).
2. A white spot or slight opacity of the cornea.
3. (obsolete) A cloudy appearance in the urine.

Synonyms

galaxy

🌌

fog

🌫️

Milky Way

🌌

mist

nebulosity

nimbus

spray

star system

turbidity

Galaxy

🌌

gaseous nebula

nephelium

cloudiness

star cloud

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnɛbjʊlə/

Etymology

Cognate with Ancient Greek: νεφέλη

Cognate with German: Nebel

Cognate with Old Norse: nifl

Cognate with Polish: niebo

Cognate with Russian: не́бо

In summary

Borrowed from Latin nebula (“little cloud, mist”). Akin to Ancient Greek νεφέλη (nephélē, “cloud”), German Nebel (“mist, nebula”), Old Norse nifl, Polish niebo (“sky, heaven”), Russian не́бо (nébo, “sky”).