Ptolemaic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Pertaining to the astronomical theories that assert a geocentric universe with Earth at its focal point
2. Relating to the ancient Greek cosmological model that emphasizes Earth as the center of celestial revolution
3. Connected with the ancient astronomical framework positioning Earth at the universe's center

Etymology: Claudius Ptolemy, the second-century Greek astronomer and geographer, lived and worked in Alexandria, and his name is the root of this adjective. His name derives from Ptolemaios, which in turn comes from the Epic Greek word ptolemos, a variant of the ordinary Greek pólemos, meaning "battle" or "war." So a name built on the idea of fighting became attached to the author of the most influential model of the cosmos before Copernicus. Ptolemy's system placed a stationary Earth at the centre of the universe, with the Sun, Moon and planets moving around it on combinations of circles. The adjective "Ptolemaic" follows the standard pattern of an English adjective formed from a personal name plus the suffix "-ic," passing through Latin "Ptolemaicus" and the Koine Greek "Ptolemaïkós." It is used to describe the earth-centred model itself, and it is often set against the sun-centred view associated with Copernicus.