Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - perigee

 noun  Etymology: Middle French, from New Latin perigeum, from Greek perigeion, from neuter of perigeios near the earth, from peri- + ge earth  Date: 1594 the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth; also the point nearest a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it — compare apogee  • perigean adjective PERIGORD  geographical name old division of N Guienne in SW France capital Perigueux