[ 'kɒmɪt ]
■ noun a celestial object which consists of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a diffuse tail, and typically follows a highly eccentric orbit around the sun.
Derivatives
~ary adjective
Origin
OE, from L. ~a , from Gk komētēs 'long-haired (star)', from komē 'hair'; reinforced by OFr. ~e .