perihelion

Meanings

Noun

periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun
The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, etc., where it is nearest to the Sun.
The highest point or state; the peak, zenith.

Origin / Etymology

PIE word
*sóh₂wl̥
From perihelium (“perihelion”) (obsolete) + -ion (suffix used for other names of apsides). Perihelium is borrowed from Late Latin perihelium, from Ancient Greek περι- (peri-, “around; surrounding”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“before, in front; first”)) + ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥ (“sun”)), which was modelled after perigeum (“point in an orbit about the Earth that is closest to the Earth, perigee”).

Synonyms

acme, apex, apogee, apotheosis, ascendance, capstone, climax, coronation, crown, culmination, Everest, extreme, fastigium, high note, high point, high tide, high-water mark, midday, outblossom, paroxysm, perihelion, pinnacle, summa, summit, ϖ

Antonyms

aphelion

Scrabble Score: 15

perihelion is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
perihelion is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
perihelion is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

perihelion is a valid Words With Friends word