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What is "apsides"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Apsides

Apsis \Ap"sis\ ([a^]p"s[i^]s), n.; pl. Apsides ([a^]p"s[i^]*d[=e]z). See Apse. [L. apsis, absis, Gr. "apsi`s, "apsi^dos, a tying, fastening, the hoop of a wheel, the wheel, a bow, arch, vault, fr. "a`ptein to fasten.]

  1. (Astron.) One of the two points of an orbit, as of a planet or satellite, which are at the greatest and least distance from the central body, corresponding to the aphelion and perihelion of a planet, or to the apogee and perigee of the moon. The more distant is called the higher apsis; the other, the lower apsis; and the line joining them, the line of apsides.

  2. (Math.) In a curve referred to polar co["o]rdinates, any point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum.

  3. (Arch.) Same as Apse.

Apsides

Apsides \Ap"si*des\ ([a^]p"s[i^]*d[=e]z), n. pl. See Apsis. [1913 Webster] ||

Wiktionary
apsides

n. 1 (plural of apside English) 2 (plural of apsis English)

WordNet
apsides

See apsis

apsis

  1. n. a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar [syn: apse]

  2. [also: apsides (pl)]

Usage examples of "apsides".

It is easy to see that the effect of this action, which is called the revolution of the apsides, or, as the word means, the movement of the poles of the ellipse, is to bring the earth, when a given hemisphere is turned toward the sun, sometimes in the part of the orbit which is nearest the source of light and heat, and sometimes farther away.

And, we might also ask, why the tangential resistance to the comet of Encke should not also produce a retrograde motion in the apsides of the orbit, instead of diminishing its period?