heliacal

[ hi-lahy-uh-kuhl ]

adjective

, Astronomy.

1. pertaining to or occurring near the sun, especially applied to such risings and settings of a star as are most nearly coincident with those of the sun while yet visible.

Other Words From

• he·lia·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliacal¹

1600–10; < Late Latin hēliac ( us ) (< Greek hēliakós; heli- ¹, -ac ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

And the heliacal risings of Jupiter, as also, indeed, those of the other planets, are shown in almanacs for astrological purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

On the ceiling of the Memnonium at Thebes the heliacal rising of Sirius is represented under the form and name of Isis.

From Project Gutenberg

The festivals were marked by the periodical return of certain astronomical phenomena, and those heliacal risings to which any mythological ideas were attached, were noted with great care.

From Project Gutenberg

Dog-days, the name applied by the ancients to a period of about forty days, the hottest season of the year, at the time of the heliacal rising of Sirius, the dog-star.

From Project Gutenberg

Brugsch states that the appearance of the said new moon, which was also associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius, would range from Aug.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cosmic