epicycle

Noun

Meaning

A circle, whose center moves round in the circumference of a greater circle; or a small circle, whose center, being fixed in the deferent of a planet, is carried along with the deferent, and yet, by its own peculiar motion, carries the body of the planet fastened to it round its proper center.

A circle which rolls on the circumference of another circle, either externally or internally.

Synonyms

Hypernyms

Examples

Anyway, Hipparchus found inconsistent results; he later used the ratio of the epicycle model (3122+1/2 : 247+1/2), which is too small (60 : 4;45 sexagesimal). Source: Internet

Each planet light is on a mount which rotates only about the central axis, and is aimed by a guide which is steered by a deferent and an epicycle (or whatever the planetarium maker calls them). Source: Internet

The planets were thought by Ptolemy to orbit Earth in deferent and epicycle motions. Source: Internet

Following Evolution, she would return again to interpretation with Epicycle II—an album she has described as “genre-fluid”—only this time with the added magic of collaboration. Source: Internet

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