apogee
Meaning: The highest point of development, power, or achievement; the climax or pinnacle. Also the point in an orbit farthest from earth.
Apogee has both a technical astronomical sense (the point in a celestial body's orbit when it is farthest from earth) and a widely used figurative sense (the highest point or peak of something). The figurative use predominates in everyday English, particularly in historical and cultural commentary. It is formal in register and carries an elevated tone. Common collocations include 'reach its apogee,' 'the apogee of,' and 'at the apogee of.'
Examples
- The British Empire reached its apogee in the late nineteenth century before beginning its long decline. 大英帝国在十九世纪末达到了鼎盛,随后开始了漫长的衰落。El Imperio británico alcanzó su apogeo a finales del siglo XIX antes de iniciar su largo declive.大英帝国は19世紀後半に頂点に達し、その後長い衰退期に入った。대영제국은 19세기 후반에 정점에 도달한 후 긴 쇠퇴기에 접어들었다.
- Critics regard this symphony as the apogee of the composer's creative output. 评论家认为这部交响曲是该作曲家创作成就的巅峰。La crítica considera esta sinfonía el apogeo de la producción creativa del compositor.批評家たちは、この交響曲をその作曲家の創作活動の最高到達点とみなしている。비평가들은 이 교향곡을 그 작곡가의 창작 활동의 최고 도달점으로 평가한다.
- The satellite's apogee of 36,000 kilometres placed it in a geostationary orbit above the equator. 这颗卫星的远地点为三万六千公里,使其处于赤道上方的地球静止轨道上。El apogeo del satélite, a 36 000 kilómetros, lo situaba en una órbita geoestacionaria sobre el ecuador.その衛星の遠地点は36,000キロメートルで、赤道上空の静止軌道に位置していた。그 위성의 원지점은 36,000킬로미터로, 적도 상공의 정지궤도에 위치해 있었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, literary, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From French apogée, from Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion (away from earth), from apo- (away from) + gaia (earth). The astronomical sense came first; the figurative meaning of 'highest point' developed by analogy.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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