word

parsec

PAR-sek

ˈpɑːrsɛk

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Syllable breakdown

parsec

Dictionary meaning

A unit of distance used in astronomy equal to approximately 3.26 light-years, or 3.086 × 10¹³ km; defined as the distance at which a star would show a parallax of one arcsecond.

History and origin

Blend of 'parallax' + 'second'.

Common mispronunciations

PAR-shekpar-SEK

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