apogee

One entry found for apogee.

Main Entry: apo·gee
Pronunciation: 'a-p&-(")jE
Function: noun
Etymology: French apogée, from New Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion, from neuter of apogeios, apogaios far from the earth, from apo- + gE, gaia earth
1 : the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth ; also : the point farthest from a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it -- compare PERIGEE
2 : the farthest or highest point : CULMINATION <Aegean civilization reached its apogee in Crete>
- apo·ge·an /"a-p&-'jE-&n/ adjective
[apogee illustration]