apogee
Definitions
The point in the orbit of the Moon or a satellite that is farthest from the Earth.
远地点，月球或卫星轨道上离地球最远的点。
The highest point or climax; the peak of something's development or success.
顶峰，巅峰；（发展或成就的）最高点。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedapo- (away from) + gē (the Earth) = 'the point away from the Earth' — the farthest spot in an orbit. Because that is the highest, most extreme point a body reaches, the word slid from astronomy into everyday speech to mean the peak of anything: the apogee of an empire, a career, a reputation.
Root geo still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
apogee is paired with its opposite perigee (peri- 'near' + gē): apogee is the far point, perigee the near point of an orbit around the Earth. The figurative 'peak' sense comes from the literal one — the farthest, highest point of the arc — which is why we speak of something being at its apogee when it can rise no higher.
Common Collocations
- 1.reach its apogee达到顶峰
- 2.at the apogee of在……的巅峰
- 3.orbital apogee轨道远地点
Example Sentences
- 1.
The satellite slows down as it approaches its apogee.
- 2.
The empire reached its apogee in the second century.
- 3.
Her popularity hit its apogee just after the award.