heliacal

[ hi-lahy-uh-kuhl ]

adjective

, Astronomy.

1. pertaining to or occurring near the sun, especially applied to such risings and settings of a star as are most nearly coincident with those of the sun while yet visible.

Other Words From

• he·lia·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliacal¹

1600–10; < Late Latin hēliac ( us ) (< Greek hēliakós; heli- ¹, -ac ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Implying hereby the Heliacal ascent and Cosmical descent of those stars.

From Project Gutenberg

This period, measured thus by the heliacal rising of Sothis, is spoken of as the Sothic cycle.

From Project Gutenberg

The heliacal rising of a constellation is when it comes from under the rays of the sun, and begins to appear before daylight.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not see how the heliacal rising of Sirius in any one year could help them to determine its length.

From Project Gutenberg

They also possessed lists of the fixed stars, and drew up tables of the times of their heliacal risings.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cosmic