Node /(nōd)/

Node

n.
  1. A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling.
  2. One of the two points where the orbit of a planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary. (Astron.)
  3. A special point in a graph or diagram which is attached to other points by links. It is often labeled and represented graphically as a box or circle. A node may represent any object which is related to other objects in a conceptual structure that can be represented as a graph, the relations being represented as links between the nodes. (Math., Computers)
  4. A small mass of tissue differing from other tissue in its immediate vicinity; as, a lymph node. (Anat.)

Phrases & Compounds

Ascending node
the node at which the body is passing northerly, marked with the symbol ☊, called the Dragon's head. Called also northern node.
Descending node
the node at which the body is moving southwardly, marked thus ☋, called Dragon's tail.
Line of nodes
a straight line joining the two nodes of an orbit.