Nonplanetary

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to bodies or phenomena that are not classified as planets
2. describing celestial objects that are not included in planetary categories
3. indicating concepts or elements outside the standard definition of a planet

Etymology: "Nonplanetary" is simply the prefix "non-" attached to "planetary," so the word's history is the history of its base. "Planetary" comes from "planet," which traces back through Latin "planeta" to Greek "planētēs," meaning "wanderer." The name reflects the ancient observation that these bright points of light moved against the fixed backdrop of the stars, unlike the seemingly stationary stars themselves. The "non-" prefix, from Latin "non" meaning "not," is one of English's most productive negating elements and can be attached to nearly any noun or adjective. "Nonplanetary" therefore means "not planetary" in the sense of falling outside what counts as a planet. The word is a plain formation rather than a coinage with a notable story behind it, and its meaning follows directly from the parts.

Synonyms: extraterrestrial, non-celestial