perigee
[ per-i-jee ]
/ ˈpɛr ɪˌdʒi /
noun Astronomy.
the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of an artificial satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.
Origin of perigee
1585–95; < French
perigée < New Latin
perigēum, perigaeum < Greek
perígeion (
sēmeîon limit), neuter of
perígeios near, of the earth, equivalent to
peri-
peri- +
-geios, adj. derivative of
gaîa, gê the earth
OTHER WORDS FROM perigee
per·i·ge·al, per·i·ge·an, adjectiveWords nearby perigee
Example sentences from the Web for perigee
British Dictionary definitions for perigee
perigee
/ (ˈpɛrɪˌdʒiː) /
noun
the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is nearest the earth
Compare apogee (def. 1)
Derived forms of perigee
perigean or perigeal, adjectiveWord Origin for perigee
C16: via French from Greek
perigeion, from
peri- +
gea earth
Scientific definitions for perigee
perigee
[ pĕr′ə-jē ]
The point nearest Earth's center in the orbit of the Moon or an artificial satellite.
The point in an orbit that is nearest to the body being orbited. Compare apogee perihelion.