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Original · left

Satellite (moon)

A celestial body orbiting a planet, such as the Moon.

First in use: the 1600s
Duplicate · right

Artificial satellite

A human-made object placed in orbit; Sputnik 1 launched in 1957.

First in use: c. 1957

Satellite / Satellite (moon) / Artificial satellite

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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Moons vs. Sputnik.

Which meaning of Satellite is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Satellite (moon) came first (the 1600s). Artificial satellite arrived in 1957. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Satellite (moon)Artificial satellite
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

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The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1600s

Satellite (moon)

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Duplicate · c. 1957

Artificial satellite

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More duplicated terms

Science & space