apsidal
/ˈæpsɪdəl/
adjective
- Relating to an apse (a curved, semicircular part of a building, especially a church).
- The architect designed an apsidal end for the new church to match the historic style.
- The cathedral's apsidal chapel is decorated with beautiful stained glass.
- Visitors admired the apsidal ceiling, which was painted with scenes from the Bible.
- Relating to the apsides (the points in an orbit where a planet or satellite is closest to or farthest from the body it orbits).
- The satellite's apsidal motion is affected by the gravitational pull of the Moon.
- Astronomers calculated the apsidal distance of the comet from the Sun.
- The apsidal precession of Mercury's orbit is a famous test of Einstein's theory of relativity.