Apophis

American  

[uh-poh-fis] / əˈpoʊ fɪs /

noun

Egyptian Mythology.

1. a demon serpent of darkness whom Ra, as sun god, destroys every morning at dawn.

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Etymology

Origin of Apophis

< Greek Ápophis < Egyptian; see Apepi

Example Sentences

This happened in 2004 when an asteroid called Apophis was calculated to have a 2.7% chance of striking Earth in 2029; further observations ruled out an impact.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025

The craft, now named OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer, or OSIRIS-APEX, is on its way to a peanut-shaped asteroid named Apophis.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Though its return capsule is now back on Earth, the probe keeps on flying, toward another asteroid called Apophis.

From Scientific American • Oct. 11, 2023

Meanwhile, OSIRIS-Rex is now chasing a new target — a near-Earth asteroid named Apophis.

From DOGO News • Oct. 4, 2023

Apophis II. in his court at Zoan perceived the rising storm, and endeavoured to check it at its beginning.

From Patriarchal Palestine by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)