Final answer:
The term 'galaxy' comes from the Greek word 'galaxias', meaning milky, and it is used to describe a large system of stars. Our own Milky Way is an example of a galaxy, named after the ancient Greek legend involving Hera.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greek word for milk, galaxias, gives us the word galaxy. This term describes a large system of stars, such as our own Milky Way, which is an arm of our galaxy of stars. The Milky Way has inspired various cultural tales and scientific inquiries throughout history. Ancient Greeks viewed the Milky Way as a spray of milk across the sky, linked to the legend of the goddess Hera. Observations of the Milky Way and other galaxies help us understand the universe's character and evolution, which is tied to both very large and very small scales, such as particle physics.