Pĕr'/i-hēl/ion or Pĕr'/i-hēl/i-üm, n.

(or -hē/li-on), Pĕr'/i-hēl/i-üm, n. [Gr. περί, about, near, and ἥλιος, the sun; N. Lat. perihelium, It. perielio, Fr. périhélie.] (Astron.) That point in the orbit of a planet or comet, in which it is nearest to the sun;—opposed to aphélion.