apocentre
|a-po-cen-tre|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑːsəntər/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒsəntə/
farthest point from the centre
Etymology
'apocentre' originates from Greek prefix 'apo-' meaning 'away from' combined with the word 'centre' (from Latin 'centrum' via Old French 'centre').
'apocentre' evolved from New/Medieval Latin formations such as 'apocentrum' and entered English in forms like 'apocentre' (British) or 'apocenter' (American), following the adoption of 'centre/center' from Old French and Latin.
Initially built from elements meaning 'away from the centre', the term came to denote specifically the orbital point farthest from the central body (its astronomical sense).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the point in an orbit of a body (such as a planet or satellite) that is farthest from the center of attraction (the central body).
The satellite was at apocentre when its speed reached a minimum.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/19 02:58