Main Entry:

peri·gee

Pronunciation:

\ˈper-ə-(ˌ)jē\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French, from New Latin perigeum, from Greek perigeion, from neuter of perigeios near the earth, from peri- + gē earth

Date:

1594

: the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth ; also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it — compare apogee

— peri·ge·an \ˌper-ə-ˈjē-ən\ adjective