How Do You Spell PERISCIAN?

Pronunciation: [pɛɹˈɪsi͡ən] (IPA)

The word "Periscian" is spelled with six letters and is pronounced as /pɛrɪsɪən/. The letter "P" at the beginning of the word is followed by the letters "E", "R", "I", "S", and "C". The "I" in the middle is pronounced as a short sound "ɪ". The last three letters, "I", "A", and "N", together form the suffix "-ian", which means "of or relating to". The phonetic transcription clearly shows how each letter contributes to the pronunciation of the word.

PERISCIAN Meaning and Definition

1. Periscian is a noun derived from the medieval Latin word "perisciu" meaning "a person living on the opposite side of the globe." In the context of geography, it refers to those individuals who inhabit a location exactly opposite to another on the Earth's surface. The term is particularly used to describe people residing in the hemisphere diametrically opposite to one’s own. For instance, if one were to exist in the Northern Hemisphere, then their periscian counterparts would live in the Southern Hemisphere.

   The concept of periscian can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosophers who speculated on the spherical nature of the Earth. They hypothesized that if one were to dig a hole through the center of the Earth and emerge on the other side, they would end up in a place inhabited by these periscian individuals.

   Today, the term primarily serves an archaic linguistic purpose rather than a practical description of geographical locations. It is commonly used in literature, especially in works of fiction, to convey a sense of opposites and mirror images. Due to advancements in communication and global interaction, the notion of periscians has become less relevant in contemporary society, but it remains an interesting concept that sparks curiosity about the diversity and interconnectedness of the world's inhabitants.

2. Having the shadow moving all round in the course of the day.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PERISCIAN

• persician

Etymology of PERISCIAN

The word "Periscian" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "peri" meaning "around" or "surrounding" and "skia" meaning "shadow". This word has its roots in the ancient Greek and Latin languages. The term "Periscian" was primarily used in astronomy to describe a geographic region or area on the Earth's surface where the inhabitants experienced constant or near-constant shadow due to the angle of the Sun. It was specifically used to describe regions close to the poles during certain times of the year when the Sun does not rise above the horizon.