apsis

American  

[ap-sis] / ˈæp sɪs /

noun

plural

apsides

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 /

plural

apsides

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

It consists of large arches, disposed in a double tier, so as to correspond with the windows of the apsis, and placed at a short distance from the wall; but without any Lady-Chapel beyond.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 2 by Turner, Dawson

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

The apsis is terminated by a straight wall.

From The Argosy Vol. 51, No. 4, April, 1891 by Wood, Charles W.

The very important frescoes of the choir apsis of Sta.

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

But the choir and apsis were previously of a different æra from the rest of the edifice.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 2 by Turner, Dawson