Iapetus

[ ahy-ap-i-tuhs, ee-ap- ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a Titan, son of Uranus and Gaia.
2. Astronomy. a natural satellite of the planet Saturn.

Iapetus

/ aɪˈæpɪtəs /

noun

1. a large outer satellite of the planet Saturn

Word History and Origins

Origin of Iapetus¹

First recorded in 1600–20; Latin Īapetus, from Greek Īapetós; further origin uncertain; probably from the same source as Hebrew Yepheth; Japheth ( def )

Example Sentences

During her presentation, a fellow student interrupted her with a question about the rotation of Saturn’s moon Iapetus.

From Scientific American

In some, the lost moon collided with Titan or Iapetus; in others it was ejected from the Saturn system altogether.

From Science Magazine

At the sedimentary cliffs of Green Point, we saw fossils from the ancient Iapetus Ocean.

From Washington Post

“Iapetus! Don’t tell me you don’t recognize your own brother!”

From Literature

The thinning, flattening crust created a shallow rift that eventually filled with water, which geologists call the Iapetus Ocean.

From Washington Post