n.
Pronunciation: ' per- ə -( ˌ )j ē
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from New Latin perigeum, from Greek perigeion, from neuter of perigeios near the earth, from peri- + g ē earth
Date: 1594
: the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it ― compare APOGEE
– peri · ge · an \ ˌ per- ə - ' j ē - ə n \ adjective