heliacal

heliacal Definition

he·lia·cal (hi lī′ə kəl)

adjective

of or near the sun; solar; specif., designating the apparent rising, or setting, of a star or planet just after, or before, conjunction with the sun

Etymology: LL Heliacus, relating to the sun < Gr hēliakos < hēlios, Helios + -al

heliacal Related Forms

he·li′a·cally adverb

heliacal Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

rising: The heliacal rising of Sirius would tell people to prepare for the floods.
setting: A heliacal setting occurs when a planet or star enters into conjunction with the Sun.

Browse dictionary entries near heliacal