n.
 (pl. galaxies)
  - a system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction. ▸
(the Galaxy)
 the galaxy of which the solar system is a part; the Milky Way. 
- a large and impressive group of people or things.
Etymology
  ME (orig. referring to the Milky Way): via OFr. from med. L. galaxia, from Gk galaxias (kuklos) ‘milky (vault)’, from gala, galakt- ‘milk’.