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white dwarf Definition

white dwarf

noun

a planet-sized, very dense, collapsed star, the fuel of which has been exhausted: initially very bright and hot, it gradually evolves into a black dwarf

white dwarf Usage Examples

Possessives

  • surface: The material that accretes onto the white dwarf's surface is mainly hydrogen which forms an envelope around the star.

Converse of object

  • become: Finally, the star ceases nuclear burning and becomes a white dwarf, while the expanding nebula mergers with the interstellar medium.

Adjective modifier

  • burned-out: Nova outbursts occur when a close companion star transfers fresh hydrogen fuel to a burned-out white dwarf.