WELKIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does welkin mean? 

• WELKIN (noun)
  The noun WELKIN has 1 sense:

1. the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

  Familiarity information: WELKIN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WELKIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

celestial sphere; empyrean; firmament; heavens; sphere; vault of heaven; welkin

Hypernyms ("welkin" is a kind of...):

surface (the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object)

Meronyms (parts of "welkin"):

apex; apex of the sun's way; solar apex (the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars)

celestial point (a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere))

nadir (the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zenith (the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zodiac (a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes)

 Context examples 

I like Thornfield, its antiquity, its retirement, its old crow-trees and thorn-trees, its grey facade, and lines of dark windows reflecting that metal welkin: and yet how long have I abhorred the very thought of it, shunned it like a great plague-house?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)