aphelion

[ uh-fee-lee-uhn, uh-feel-yuhn, ap-hee-lee-uhn ]

noun

, plural a·phe·li·a [uh, -, fee, -lee-, uh, uh, -, feel, -y, uh, ap-, hee, -lee-, uh].

1. Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.

aphelion

/ əˈfiː-; æpˈhiːlɪən /

noun

1. the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is at its greatest distance from the sun Compare perihelion

aphelion

/ ə-fē′lē-ən /

1. The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun.
2. Compare apogee

Derived Forms

• apˈhelian, adjective

Other Words From

• a·pheli·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphelion¹

1650–60; Hellenized form of New Latin aphēlium < Greek *aphḗlion ( diástēma ) off-sun (distance), neuter of *aphḗlios (adj.), equivalent to ap- ap- ² + hḗli ( os ) sun + -os adj. suffix. See apogee

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphelion¹

C17: from New Latin aphēlium (with pseudo-Greek ending -ion ) from ap- + Greek hēlios sun