Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GAL'AX-Y, n. [Gr. γαλαξιας, from γαλα, milk; Ir. geal, white; W. gâl, clear, fair, whence galaeth, the milky way Gr. καλος, fair.]

1. The milky way; that long, white, luminous track which seems to encompass the heavens like a girdle. This luminous appearance is found by the telescope to be occasioned by a multitude of stars, so small as not to be distinguished by the naked eye. – Encyc.
2. An assemblage of splendid persons or things. – Bp. Hall.