Georgium Sidus

English

Etymology

Coined by German-born British astronomer and composer William Herschel in 1781, after King George III + Latin sīdus (“star”).

Proper noun

Georgium Sidus

  1. (astronomy, obsolete) The planet Uranus. [from 18th c.]
    • 1783, William Herschel, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London, section 73.2:
      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.
    • 1812, Thomas Jefferson, letter, 17 June:
      The exclusion from the courts of the malign influence of all authorities after the Georgium sidus became ascendant, would uncanonize Blackstone.
    • 1821, James Ferguson, Astronomy, volume II, page 86:
      The satellites of the Georgium Sidus, too, appear to move nearly at right angles to the plane of his orbit […]
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