appulse
|ap-pulse|
/əˈpʌls/
near approach without touching
Etymology
'appulse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'appulsus', where the prefix 'ad-' (in the assimilated form 'ap-') meant 'to' and 'pulsus' (from 'pellere'/'pulsare') meant 'to push or drive'.
'appulse' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'appulsus' and was adopted into English (particularly in scientific and astronomical contexts) as 'appulse' by the 17th century.
Initially, it meant 'a striking or pushing against' in Latin, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a nearest apparent approach of one celestial body to another (without occultation)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in astronomy: the nearest apparent approach of one celestial body to another on the celestial sphere as seen from a given vantage point, not implying occultation or actual physical contact.
Yesterday the Moon reached appulse with Mars.
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Noun 2
an act of striking against or coming into contact (archaic or rare usage).
The appulse of the waves against the rocks was heard from the cliffs.
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Verb 1
to place or come into appulse; to cause to approach closely in apparent position (rare).
In the diagram the charted positions appulse the two planets for the predicted date.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 03:30