nebulosa

nebula

noun neh-boo-LOH-sah Rare

Origin: Latin nebula (mist, cloud)

Usage Note

Nebulosa is the standard astronomical term for a cloud of gas and dust in space; the adjective nebuloso (foggy, nebulous) shares the same Latin root. In figurative use it can describe a vague, hazy idea, though nebuloso is more common in that sense. As a noun it is always feminine: una nebulosa espiral.

Examples

"La nebulosa de Orión es visible desde la Tierra."

Natural Translation

The Orion Nebula is visible from Earth.

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