protogalaxy

[ proh-toh-gal-uh k-see, proh-toh-gal- ]
/ ˌproʊ toʊˈgæl ək si, ˈproʊ toʊˌgæl- /

noun, plural pro·to·gal·ax·ies. Astronomy.

the large concentration of gas and dust from which a galaxy is formed.

Origin of protogalaxy

First recorded in 1945–50; proto- + galaxy

Words nearby protogalaxy

protodeacon, protoderm, protodiastolic, protodiastolic gallop, protoduodenum, protogalaxy, protogenia, protogenic, protogeometric, protogynous, protohistory

British Dictionary definitions for protogalaxy

protogalaxy
/ (ˌprəʊtəʊˈɡæləksɪ) /

noun plural -axies

a cloud of gas in the early stages of its evolution into a galaxy