apsis

[ap-sis]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

apsides

Astronomy.��either of two points in an eccentric orbit, one higher apsis farthest from the center of attraction, the other lower apsis nearest to the center of attraction.
Architecture.��an apse.

apsis

/ ˈæpsɪs, æpˈsaɪdəl, ˈæpsɪdəl /

noun

Also called: apse.��either of two points lying at the extremities of an eccentric orbit of a planet, satellite, etc, such as the aphelion and perihelion of a planet or the apogee and perigee of the moon. The line of apsides connects two such points and is the principal axis of the orbit
another name for apse

apsis

plural

apsides

In the path of an orbiting body, either of the two points at which it is closest to or farthest away from the body it is orbiting.
See also apoapsis periapsis

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Other Word Forms

apsidal adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of apsis¹

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek �󲹱��í�� (felloe of ) a wheel, arch, vault, originally, fastening, equivalent to ��á�� ( tein ) to fasten + -sis -sis

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Word History and Origins

Origin of apsis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek; see _apse

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The list of relics on the right of the apsis of Sta.

From

Of or pertaining to the apsides of an orbit.

From

The phenomenon of the progression of the apsides of an oval orbit, which is here alluded to, is familiar to all students in mechanics.

From

The line of the apsides has a slow forward angular motion in the plane of the planet's orbit, being retrograde only in the case of Venus.

From

The “line of apsides” is that which joins them, forming the major axis of the orbit.

From

apsidiole Ap star

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