noun
perihelion
Perihelion (noun) means the point in an orbit, such as a planet's or comet's, that is closest to the Sun.
noun
1
The point in an orbit, such as a planet's or comet's, that is closest to the Sun.
"In this case, the rate of advance of the perihelia of their elliptical orbits provides important information about the masses of the neutron stars as well as providing very sensitive tests of general relativity itself."
— Malcolm Sim Longair, An Introduction to General Relativity (2003)
"This rotational motion could have the axis of minimum moments of inertia nearly aligned with the Sun–Mercury radius vector at every perihelion passage."
— Giuseppe Colombo, Rotational Period of the Planet Mercury [letter] (1965)
2
(figurative) The highest point of something; its peak.
"This brilliant trick was the invention of the late Dr. Hofzinzer, of Vienna, who, at the perihelion of his fame, was regarded as the greatest card conjurer in the world."
— Thomas Nelson Downs, Card-tricks Involving Sleight of Hand (1909)
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Etymology
Formed from the obsolete word perihelium (“perihelion”) plus the suffix -ion, used for other names of apsides. Perihelium was borrowed from Late Latin perihelium, itself from Ancient Greek περι- (peri-, “around; surrounding”), which goes back to Proto-Indo-European *per- (“before, in front; first”), combined with ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”), which goes back to Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥ (“sun”). The word was modelled on perigeum (“point in an orbit about the Earth that is closest to the Earth, perigee”).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for perihelion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for perihelion →
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of perihelion?
"perihelion" (noun) means the point in an orbit, such as a planet's or comet's, that is closest to the Sun.
What is another word for perihelion?
Other words for "perihelion" include climax, capstone, crown, zenith, culmination, acme.
What is the opposite of perihelion?
The opposite of "perihelion" is aphelion.
What are the different meanings of perihelion?
"perihelion" has 2 main meanings: 1. The point in an orbit, such as a planet's or comet's, that is closest to the Sun; 2. (figurative) The highest point of something; its peak.
