perigee

peri·gee

noun \ˈper-ə-(ˌ)jē\

Definition of PERIGEE

: 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

Origin of PERIGEE

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

First Known Use: 1594

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith