How Do You Spell HELIACAL?

Pronunciation: [hˈɛlɪˌakə͡l] (IPA)

The word "heliacal" is spelled with a "h" followed by "e", "l", "i", "a", "c", "a", and "l". Its pronunciation is [hiːˈlækəl], with the stress on the second syllable. The word refers to the rising or setting of a star, particularly Sirius, just before or after sunrise or sunset. While its spelling might seem intimidating, it's simply an amalgamation of the Greek word "helios", meaning sun, and "akaluptos", meaning hidden. Together, they create a word that describes the sun's interaction with the stars.

HELIACAL Meaning and Definition

1. Heliacal is an adjective that pertains to the sun or to the rising or setting of the sun. It specifically refers to the period, event, or celestial object's appearance just before or after sunrise or sunset. The term is commonly used in astronomy, astrology, and archaeoastronomy to describe the observation of a star, planet, or constellation in close proximity to the sun as it appears or disappears from view due to the sun's brightness.

   When referring to a celestial body, the heliacal rising is the moment when it can be seen just above the eastern horizon right before sunrise, after a period of being obscured by the sun's glare. Conversely, the heliacal setting is when a celestial object is observed just below the western horizon, right after sunset, as it becomes invisible due to the brightness of the sun.

   Heliacal phenomena have held significant cultural and historical importance in different societies throughout the ages. The ancient Egyptians, for instance, used the heliacal rising of the star Sirius to mark the beginning of the Nile flood. They relied on this sighting to predict the arrival of the floodwaters, which played a crucial role in their agricultural practices.

   In summary, the term "heliacal" describes the period surrounding the sunrise or sunset when a celestial body is visible despite the sun's brightness and is commonly used to refer to the rising or setting of stars, planets, or constellations in relation to the sun.

2. Emerging from the light of the sun, or passing into it, as a star or planet.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HELIACAL

• geliacal
• beliacal
• neliacal
• jeliacal
• ueliacal
• yeliacal
• hwliacal
• hsliacal
• hdliacal
• hrliacal
• h4liacal
• h3liacal
• hekiacal
• hepiacal
• heoiacal
• heluacal
• heljacal
• helkacal
• heloacal

Etymology of HELIACAL

The word "heliacal" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "hēliakos" (ἡλιακός), which means "pertaining to the sun". It is formed from the word "hēlios" (ἥλιος), meaning "sun". In astronomy, the term "heliacal" is used to describe the phenomenon of a celestial body, typically a star or planet, rising or setting just before or after the sun in the morning or evening sky.

Similar spelling word for HELIACAL

• helical.