wandering star

plural wandering stars

1. A star which seems to move in the sky; a planet.

   In ancient times, a fixed star was so named to distinguish it from a wandering star or planet.

   2005, Constance Stellas, Advanced Astrology for Life

   4 more examples

   Might it not be possible, that this wandering star would pass by the sun and reappear in the east?

   1877, Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel, The planetary and stellar worlds

   [...] Or warring with the spirits who may dare Dispute with him Who made all empire, empire; or recalling Some wandering star, which shoots through the abyss Whose tenants dying, while their world is falling Share the dim destiny of clay in this.

   1988, Alan Richardson, A Mental Theater

   The word planet is an old Greek word meaning "wandering star" (planets wander, Fixed Stars do not) — so either term is correct, although modern popular usage is planet. I like star. Especially "wandering star." ]

   [ 2000, Linda Goodman, Linda Goodman's Star Signs

   Now he turned his flight, a prayer short of light-speed, towards the wandering star. Jedden had long ago abolished fear. Yet he experienced a strange psychosomatic sensation in that part of the splinter ship that corresponded to his testicles.

   2009, Gardner Dozois, The Year's Best Science Fiction

   Synonyms: wanderstar