TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
CO-ORBITING [1 record]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2003-07-11
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics and Cosmography
- The Stars (Astronomy)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- companion
1, record 1, English, companion
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The smaller body in a co-orbiting star or planet binary. 2, record 1, English, - companion
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
During the course of its evolution the primary expands, and its atmosphere may be gravitationally attracted to the secondary, the gas streaming from one star to the other. ... So much gas may flow from the primary to the secondary that the secondary eventually becomes the new primary. Sirius, which has a companion that has evolved into a white dwarf, has now reached this state. 3, record 1, English, - companion
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
"Partner" and "mate" may be encountered as stylistic variants of the more technical term "companion". 4, record 1, English, - companion
Record 1, Key term(s)
- partner
- mate
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Astronomie
- Astrophysique et cosmographie
- Étoiles (Astronomie)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- compagnon
1, record 1, French, compagnon
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Le plus petit élément d'une étoile double. 2, record 1, French, - compagnon
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] alors que l'évolution des étoiles simples a lieu sans contrainte, l'expansion d'une des composantes des étoiles doubles serrées est gênée par son compagnon, au point que ce voisin gourmand peut pendant cette expansion s'approprier une fraction de la masse qui appartenait à son partenaire. 1, record 1, French, - compagnon
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le terme technique "compagnon" peut se remplacer parfois par la variante stylistique "partenaire". 3, record 1, French, - compagnon
Record 1, Key term(s)
- partenaire
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Astronomía
- Astrofísica y cosmografía
- Estrellas (Astronomía)
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- compañero planetario
1, record 1, Spanish, compa%C3%B1ero%20planetario
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Astro oscuro o insuficientemente brillante cuya presencia en torno de una estrella nos es revelada por métodos indirectos y no por su observación telescópica. 1, record 1, Spanish, - compa%C3%B1ero%20planetario
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: