‖ Georgium sidus
(ˈdʒɔːdʒɪəm ˈsaɪdəs)
[mod.L. Geōrgium, neut. f. L. Geōrgius George + L. sīdus star.]
One of the greater planets (now called Uranus), so named by its discoverer, Sir William Herschel, in honour of George III (see quot. 1783).
| 1783 Herschel in Phil. Trans. LXXIII. 2, I cannot but wish to take this opportunity of expressing my sense of gratitude, by giving the name Georgium Sidus..to a star, which (with respect to us) first began to shine under His auspicious reign. 1788 ― Ibid. LXXVIII. 369 The Georgium Sidus, therefore, in bulk, is 80,49256 times as large as the earth. |