(n) (astronomy) a collection of star systems; any of the billions of systems each having many stars and nebulae and dust, Syn. extragalactic nebula, Example:`extragalactic nebula' is a former name for `galaxy'
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
a. [ Gr. &unr_; milky, fr. &unr_;, &unr_;, milk. See Galaxy, and cf. Lactic. ] 1. Of or pertaining to milk; got from milk; as, galactic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Of or pertaining to the galaxy or Milky Way. [ 1913 Webster ]
Galactic circle (Astron.), the great circle of the heavens, to which the course of the galaxy most nearly conforms. Herschel. -- Galactic poles, the poles of the galactic circle. [ 1913 Webster ]