epicycle
noun
a small circle the center of which moves around in the circumference of a larger circle: used in Ptolemaic astronomy to account for observed periodic irregularities in planetary motions.
epicyclic
-
a word derived from
epicycle.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The epicyclic gearing for this dragon hand also exactly explained a prominent bearing on one of the spokes that had previously appeared to have no function.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 14, 2021
The ancient Greeks did not know about elliptical orbits, but they explained the moon’s subtle motion by combining two circular motions in what is called an epicyclic theory.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 14, 2021
I figured out how the mechanism calculated the epicyclic theory by building on a remarkable observation by Wright.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 14, 2021
Wright showed that the epicyclic theories could be translated into epicyclic gear trains with pin-and-slot mechanisms to display the planets’ variable motions.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 14, 2021
In both classes, the action involves the use of some sort of epicyclic train, since the motions to be explained are both orbital and axial.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884 by Various
