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 /

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

Derived Forms

• apsidal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• apsides
  plural

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

apsis apsides

These are supported by short massy pillars: an embattled moulding runs round the windows.—In the choir the arches become pointed, but with Norman mouldings: the apsis is a reconstruction.

From Architectural Antiquities of Normandy by John Sell Cotman

It is a curious structure in brick and mortar, with an apsis and an odd arrangement of round arches sunken in the outer wall and still deeper pointed ones.

From Castilian Days by John Hay

At the further end of this chamber was a stone altar, standing upon one or two steps, in an apsis or semicircular recess.

From Visits To Monasteries in the Levant by Robert Curzon

The very important frescoes of the choir apsis of Sta.

From Walks in Rome by Augustus J. C. Hare

Without spire or tower, and divided into three parts of unequal length and height, the nave, the choir, and the circular apsis, it resembles one of the meanest of our parish churches in England.

From Architectural Antiquities of Normandy by John Sell Cotman

The phenomenon of the progression of the apsides of an oval orbit, which is here alluded to, is familiar to all students in mechanics.

From The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 3, June, 1851 by Various

Of or pertaining to the apsides of an orbit.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster

Any persons whom it could please have no better notion of what the words referred to signify than of the meaning of apsides and asymptotes.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 20, June, 1859 by Various

Apsis, plural apsides, the line joining the aphelion and perihelion points; or the major axis of elliptical orbits.

From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Henry White Warren

From the north and south faces of both rooms are semi-circular apsides, projecting 6 feet 6 inches, containing the Collimator piers and the vertical openings for observation.

From The Uses of Astronomy An Oration Delivered at Albany on the 28th of July, 1856 by Edward Everett

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