n. & adj.
--n.
1. a celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet.
2 an artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or another planet.
3 a follower; a hanger-on.
4 an underling; a member of an important person's staff or retinue.
5 (in full satellite State) a small country etc. nominally independent but controlled by or dependent on another.
--adj.
1. transmitted by satellite (satellite communications; satellite television).
2 esp. Computing secondary; dependent; minor (networks of small satellite computers).
Phrases and idioms:
satellite dish a concave dish-shaped aerial for receiving broadcasting signals transmitted by satellite. satellite town a small town economically or otherwise dependent on a nearby larger town.
Derivatives:
satellitic adj. satellitism n.
Etymology: F satellite or L satelles satellitis attendant