aphelion

[ uh-fee-lee-uhn ]

Part of Speech noun

Origin + Etymology

alteration of modern Latin aphelium (by substitution of the Greek inflection -on ), from Greek aph' hēlion ‘from the sun'

Synonyms

point of apoapsis; apoapsis

Antonyms

perihelion

Definition

the point farthest from the sun in the path of an orbiting celestial body (such as a planet)

Example

The satellite arrived at the aphelion—the farthest point from the sun.

Usage Over Time

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Usage Over Time

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urbane

[ ur-beyn ]

having the polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities

auspicious

[ aw-spish-uhs ]

favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate

inimitable

[ ih-nim-i-tuh-buhl ]

incapable of being imitated or copied; surpassing imitation; matchless

impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]

moving forcefully or rapidly

riposte

[ ri-pohst ]

a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism

callow

[ kal-oh ]

immature or inexperienced

parvenu

[ pahr-vuh-noo ]

a person who has recently or suddenly acquired wealth, importance, position, or the like, but has not yet developed the conventionally appropriate manners, dress, surroundings, etc.

attitudinize

[ at-i-tood-n-ahyz ]

adopt or express a particular attitude or attitudes, typically just for effect

camaraderie

[ kah-muh-rah-duh-ree ]

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together