apsis

American  

[ap-sis] / ˈæp sɪs /

noun

apsides plural

1. Astronomy. either of two points in an eccentric orbit, one higher apsis farthest from the center of attraction, the other lower apsis nearest to the center of attraction.

2. Architecture. an apse.

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apsis British  

/ ˈæpsɪs, æpˈsaɪdəl, ˈæpsɪdəl /

noun

1. Also called: apse.  either of two points lying at the extremities of an eccentric orbit of a planet, satellite, etc, such as the aphelion and perihelion of a planet or the apogee and perigee of the moon. The line of apsides connects two such points and is the principal axis of the orbit

2. another name for apse

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apsis Scientific  

/ ăp′sĭs /

apsides plural

1. In the path of an orbiting body, either of the two points at which it is closest to or farthest away from the body it is orbiting.

2. See also apoapsis periapsis

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Other Word Forms

• apsidal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of apsis

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek hapsís (felloe of ) a wheel, arch, vault, originally, fastening, equivalent to háp ( tein ) to fasten + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

The earliest example of a more animated treatment is, perhaps, the figure in the apsis of St. John Lateran.

From Legends of the Madonna as Represented in the Fine Arts by Jameson, Mrs. (Anna)

The list of relics on the right of the apsis of Sta.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

The very important frescoes of the choir apsis of Sta.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

The interior of the principal church in this monastery is interesting from the number of early Greek pictures which it contains, and which are hung on the walls of the apsis behind the altar.

From Visits To Monasteries in the Levant by Curzon, Robert

A large part of the left side of the apsis is repainted, of the four bishops between the windows of the tribune the head of Ecclesius is preserved, the lower part repainted.

From Ravenna, a Study by Hutton, Edward