In the Russian language there are many words that came to it from other countries. The word “apogee” is no exception. But, unfortunately, today its significance is not known to everyone. This article will help to understand what the apogee is, to find out its direct and figurative meaning, and also when it is appropriate to use this word in everyday speech.
Etymology of the word
Before you figure out what the climax is, you need to study its etymology. This word originates in the ancient Greek language - ἀπόγειος. The analysis shows that it is divided into components, namely ἀπο- (away from something) and γειος (Earth), which in total is “away from the Earth”. Today, many etymologists and linguists argue that from the ancient Greek language this word passed into Latin, where it took a more modernized form - apogeios. And later it spread among other linguistic cultures.
Meaning of the word
Thus, the astronomical meaning sounds as follows: the apogee is the farthest point of the satellite (artificial or natural) with respect to the center of planet Earth. However, it is worthwhile to dwell on what is the climax in the vocabulary of an average person, because this word is used not only in the professional speech of astronomers.
In everyday meaning, the word "apogee" is a flourishing, the highest point, the rise of something. Examples of use - "Participation in the Olympic Games was the climax of their professional career", "The climax of his fame fell upon the writer in the fiftieth year of his life."
In conclusion, it is extremely important to note that all borrowed words should be used correctly by an educated person and not cause any ambiguity in his listeners and interlocutors. Now, knowing what the apogee is, the use of this expression will not cause any difficulties in conducting social and scientific conversations.