perihelion Hear it!

perihelion definition

peri·he·lion (per′ə hē′lē ən, -hēl′yən)

noun pl. perihelions -·li·ons or perihelia -·lia (-ə)

the point nearest the sun in the orbit of a planet, comet, or man-made satellite

Etymology: ModL < Gr peri-, around + hēlios, the sun

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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