perigee
UK/'peridʒi:/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
The point in the orbit of the Moon or a satellite that is nearest to the Earth.
近地点，月球或卫星轨道上离地球最近的点。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedperi- (around, near) + gē (the Earth) = 'the point near the Earth' — the closest spot in an orbit, the exact opposite of apogee (apo- 'away from'). When the full Moon is at perigee it looks unusually large, which is the origin of the popular term 'supermoon.'
Root geo still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
Learn perigee and apogee as a pair: peri- means 'near' (as in perimeter, the line running around), apo- means 'away.' Both attach to gē, 'the Earth,' so perigee is the near point and apogee the far point of an orbit.
Common Collocations
- 1.at perigee在近地点
- 2.lunar perigee月球近地点
- 3.perigee and apogee近地点与远地点
Example Sentences
- 1.
The Moon appears largest when it is at perigee.
- 2.
At perigee the satellite moves faster than at any other point.