| Hypogeum | ‖n.; pl. Hypogea [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, subterranean; &unr_; under + &unr_;, &unr_;, the earth. ] (Anc. Arch.) The subterraneous portion of a building, as in amphitheaters, for the service of the games; also, subterranean galleries, as the catacombs. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Perigeum | { } n. [ NL. perigeum, fr. Gr. peri` about, near + gh^ the earth: cf. F. périgée. ] (Astron.) That point, in the orbit of the moon or other body orbiting the earth, which is nearest to the earth; -- opposed to apogee. It is sometimes, but rarely, used of the nearest points of bodies not orbiting the earth, such as of a comet, a planet, etc. Called also epigee, epigeum. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] Variants: Perigee |
