How Do You Spell PERIGEAN?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛɹɪd͡ʒˌi͡ən] (IPA)

Perigean is a word used in astronomy to describe the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite when it is at its closest distance to planet Earth. The word is pronounced /ˌpɛrɪˈdʒiːən/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, while the second syllable has a long "i" sound. The third syllable has a short "e" sound followed by an unstressed "uh" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by an unstressed "n" sound.

PERIGEAN Meaning and Definition

1. Perigean is an adjective that refers to something pertaining to or occurring during the perigee, which is the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is closest to the Earth. The term can also be used to describe any celestial body or object that is at its closest point to our planet.

   In the context of the moon, perigean is commonly used to describe the phenomenon of the perigean tides. These tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, with the moon at its perigee. This alignment results in exceptionally high tides, known as perigean spring tides, which are higher than the average tidal amplitude. Conversely, when the moon is at its apogee, or farthest point from Earth, the tidal amplitudes are at their lowest and are referred to as apogean tides.

   The term perigean can also be used more broadly in astronomy to describe the closest approach of any celestial body to Earth. For example, a perigean Mars or perigean comet would refer to Mars or a comet being at its closest distance to our planet during its respective orbit.

   Overall, perigean is a word that is predominantly used in the field of astronomy to describe objects or events occurring at or closest to their Earthly points of reference.

2. Pert. to the perigee.

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

Common Misspellings for PERIGEAN

• oerigean
• lerigean
• -erigean
• 0erigean
• pwrigean
• psrigean
• pdrigean
• prrigean
• p4rigean
• p3rigean
• peeigean
• pedigean
• pefigean
• petigean
• pe5igean
• pe4igean
• perugean
• perjgean
• perkgean
• perogean

Etymology of PERIGEAN

The word "perigean" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "peri" meaning "around" or "near", and "ge" referring to "Earth" or "ground". These roots come together to form "peri-ge", indicating something that is "around or near Earth". The suffix "-an" is added, which is commonly used to form adjectives, resulting in "perigean", describing a celestial body or an event that occurs when the Moon is at its closest proximity to the Earth in its orbit.