Astr. [a. Fr. apogée (in Cotgr., 1611), f. L. apogæum, a. Gr. ἀπόγαιον (also ἀπόγειον), adj. neut. ‘away from the earth,’ (f. ἀπό off, from + γάιος γεῖος of the earth, f. γαῖα, γῆ the earth), but used absol. by Ptolemy (sc. διάστημα distance) in the modern astronomic sense. Formerly used in Gr. or L. form apogeon, -gæum, -geum.]
1. The point in the orbit of the moon, or of any planet, at which it is at its greatest distance from the earth; also, the greatest distance of the sun from the earth when the latter is in aphelion. (A term of the Ptolemaic Astronomy, which viewed the earth as the center of the universe; in modern astronomy strictly used in reference to the moon, and popularly said of the sun in reference to its apparent motion.)
1594. J. Davis, Seamans Secr. Her Slowe Motion is in the point of Auge or apogeo.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 443. The apogæum of the sun or the aphelium of the earth.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Apogee is a point in the heavens at the extreme of the line of the apsides.
1812. Woodhouse, Astron., xix. 206. Apogee, if the Sun be supposed to revolve, Aphelion, if the Earth.
1868. Lockyer, Heavens (ed. 3), 130. The greatest distance of the Moon from the Earth is about 643/4 the equatorial radius of our globe. When the Moon is at this distance, it is said to be in apogee.
† 2. The greatest altitude reached by the sun in his apparent course; his meridional altitude on the longest day. Obs.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn. (1640), 146. The Apogée or middle point; and Perigée or lowest point of heaven.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. v. (1686), 242. In the Apogeum or highest point it is not so hot under that Tropick.
3. Hence fig. a. The most distant or remote spot. b. The highest point, climax, culmination.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, II. lxvii. 33. Thy Sunne is in his Apogæon placed, And when it moueth next, must needes descend.
1642. H. More, Song of Soul, II. III. II. xii. She [the Soul] doth ascend, Unto her circles ancient Apogie.
1670. Eachard, Contempt Clergy, 54. Sometimes he withdraws himself into the apogæum of doubt, sorrow, and despair.
1858. Motley, Dutch Rep., VI. Introd. 33. The trade of the Netherlands … had however by no means reached its apogee.
