Etymology
The word "epicycle" is derived from the Greek words "epi," meaning "upon," and "kyklos," meaning "circle."
Meaning
An epicycle is a small circle that moves around a larger circle. In astronomy, it refers to a hypothetical small circle whose center moves around the circumference of a larger circle. Epicycles were used by ancient astronomers to explain the apparent retrograde motion of planets.
Origin
The concept of epicycles was first proposed by Apollonius of Perga in the 3rd century BC. However, it was widely adopted in the 2nd century BC by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus, who developed a complex system of epicycles to explain the movements of the planets.
The Ptolemaic system, which was based on the work of Hipparchus and Claudius Ptolemy, became the dominant model of astronomy for over 1,400 years. This system incorporated epicycles as a key component for explaining celestial movements.
Decline and Fall
The Ptolemaic system was eventually replaced by the heliocentric model of Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century. Copernicus's model eliminated the need for epicycles by placing the Sun at the center of the solar system.
Modern Usage
While the term "epicycle" is no longer used in astronomy to describe the motion of planets, it is still used in other fields to refer to a small circle that moves around a larger circle. For example, in engineering, it can refer to a gear that is mounted on another gear.
Etymology Origin Greek epikentros at the center Composition epi upon at k
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Etymology Late Latin telicus from Greek telikos meaning relating to an end or goal
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