Astrol. [L., ad. Gr. ἀφέτης a letter-off; applied, according to Du Cange, to the Prætor, who gave the signal for starting in the chariot-races; hence fig. to the planet that starts a human being in his career.] The giver of life in a nativity.
1647. Lilly, Chr. Astrol., clvi. 650. You may alwayes import a danger of death, when you find the Apheta come to the hostill Beams of the killing Planet.
1696. Phillips, Apheta, otherwise called Hylech, the giver of Life.
1755. in Johnson.
1819. J. Wilson, Dict. Astrol., 8. When … a number of planets are so situated that it seems doubtful which is the Apheta.
