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Glite Dictionary
🛌 In a coma 🔬 Optical distortion ☄️ Comet cloud
comatic

comatic

9.9
A cloud of dust and gas that surrounds a comet's center
  • adjective
  • /kəˈmætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cometario
  • Astronomers observed the comatic glow surrounding the comet as it approached the sun.

Examples

  • The photograph revealed a distinct comatic haze enveloping the icy nucleus.

  • Astronomers studied the comatic features of Halley's Comet.

  • Scientists studied the comatic features to learn more about the comet's composition.

  • The comatic structure of the comet was fascinating to observe.

  • Astronomers observed the comatic glow surrounding the comet as it approached the sun.

  • The photograph revealed a distinct comatic haze enveloping the icy nucleus.

  • Scientists studied the comatic features to learn more about the comet's composition.

Synonyms

cometary
vscomatic
2 8.1

Like a small icy object from space that has a bright tail

focuses specifically on the cloud around the nucleus rather than entire object
comet-like
vscomatic
1 6.8

A thing that has a bright head and a long glowing tail of light

focuses on the cloud of gas and dust around the nucleus
cometic
vscomatic
9.9

It has the shape or bright tail of a comet

focuses specifically on the cloud surrounding the nucleus not the whole object

Surface Forms

comatic positive

Morphology

comatic = coma (semi-transparent) = coma + tic

Formally coma + adjectival suffix is clear, but the comet-related sense is specific and may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Comatic for comets also comes from the Greek komē meaning 'hair', used to name the cloud or 'hair' around a comet's head. So comatic describes the hazy, hair-like cloud that surrounds the comet's centre.