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Webster 1913 Edition

Syzygy

Syz′y-gy

(sĭz′ĭ-jy̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Syzygies
(-jĭz)
.
[L.
syzygia
a joining together, conjunction, Gr.
συζυγία
;
σύν
with +
ζευγνύναι
to join,
ζυγόν
yoke: cf. F.
syzygie
. See
Yoke
,
Noun.
]
1.
(Astron.)
The point of an orbit, as of the moon or a planet, at which it is in conjunction or opposition; – commonly used in the plural.
2.
(Gr. & L. Pros.)
The coupling together of different feet;
as, in Greek verse, an iambic
syzygy
.
3.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any one of the segments of an arm of a crinoid composed of two joints so closely united that the line of union is obliterated on the outer, though visible on the inner, side.
(b)
The immovable union of two joints of a crinoidal arm.
Line of syzygies
(Astron.)
,
the straight line connecting the earth, the sun, and the moon or a planet, when the latter is in conjunction or opposition; – used chiefly of the moon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Syzygy

SYZ'YGY

,
Noun.
[Gr. to join.] The conjunction or opposition of a planet with the sun, or of any two of the heavenly bodies. On the phenomena and circumstances of the syzygies, depends a great part of the lunar theory.

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