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aphelion

[ uh-fee-lee-uhn, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn ]

noun

, plural a·phe·li·a [uh, -, fee, -lee-, uh, uh, -, feel, -y, uh, ap-, hee, -lee-, uh].
  1. Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.


aphelion

/ əˈfiː-; æpˈhiːlɪən /

noun

  1. the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is at its greatest distance from the sun Compare perihelion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


aphelion

/ ə-fēlē-ən /

  1. The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun.
  2. Compare apogee


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Derived Forms

  • apˈhelian, adjective
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Other Words From

  • a·pheli·an adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aphelion1

1650–60; Hellenized form of New Latin aphēlium < Greek *aphḗlion ( diástēma ) off-sun (distance), neuter of *aphḗlios (adj.), equivalent to ap- ap- 2 + hḗli ( os ) sun + -os adj. suffix. See apogee
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aphelion1

C17: from New Latin aphēlium (with pseudo-Greek ending -ion ) from ap- + Greek hēlios sun
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Compare Meanings

How does aphelion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

At its perihelion it travels thousands of leagues per minute; at its aphelion it does not pass over more than a few yards.

Suicide increases when the earth is in aphelion, and decreases when it is in perihelion.

When at aphelion the planets move slower, and when at perihelion they move quicker than at the mean distance.

When its centre is at the extremity most remote from the sun, or aphelion, it is the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere.

The solar tide varies between aphelion and perihelion from 1·9 to 2·1.

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