An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The act of culminating or the instant at which a celestial object reaches its highest altitude above the horizon by crossing the observer’s meridian. → upper culmination;
→ lower culmination.

Etymology (EN): Verbal noun of → culminate.

Etymology (PE): Bâlest, from Mid.Pers. bâlist “culmination point of a star; highest, summit,” from bâlây “high” + -ist superlative suffix, Av. barəzišta- “highest,” from barəz- “high, mount” (Skt. bhrant- “high,” O.E. burg, burh “castle, fortified place,” from P.Gmc. *burgs “fortress,” Ger. Burg “castle,” Goth. baurgs “city,” E. burg, borough, Fr. bourgeois, bourgeoisie, faubourg; PIE base *bhergh- “high”)

• -išta- superlative suffix (Skt. -istha-, Gk. -istos, O.H.G. -isto, -osto, O.E. -st, -est, -ost).