heliocentric

[hee-lee-oh-sen-trik]

adjective Astronomy.

measured or considered as being seen from the center of the sun.
having or representing the sun as a center: the heliocentric concept of the universe.

Origin of heliocentric

First recorded in 1660–70; helio- + -centric

Related formshe·li·o·cen·tri·cal·ly, adverbhe·li·o·cen·tric·i·ty

[hee-lee-oh-sen-tris-i-tee] /ˌhi li oʊ sɛnˈtrɪs ɪ ti/, he·li·o·cen·tri·cism

[hee-lee-oh-sen-truh-siz-uh m] /ˌhi li oʊˈsɛn trəˌsɪz əm/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for heliocentric

Historical Examples of heliocentric

There are two centres, heliocentric and geocentric as the scientists say.
Expositions of Holy Scripture
Alexander Maclaren
First, then, it came in the form of the heliocentric theory of the planetary system.
Evolution
Joseph Le Conte
Then they were observed not as the experiences of individuals but as instances of planetary order in a heliocentric system.
Creative Intelligence
John Dewey, Addison W. Moore, Harold Chapman Brown, George H. Mead, Boyd H. Bode, Henry Waldgrave, Stuart James, Hayden Tufts, Horace M. Kallen
Why then was the heliocentric theory not definitely accepted?
The gradual acceptance of the Copernican theory of the universe
Dorothy Stimson
The heliocentric theory, at this stage, was presenting physical evidence of its truth.
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume II (of 2)
John William Draper

British Dictionary definitions for heliocentric

heliocentric

adjective

having the sun at its centre
measured from or in relation to the centre of the sun

Derived Formsheliocentrically, adverbheliocentricity or heliocentricism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heliocentric

adj.

1680s, from helio- + -centric.

heliocentric in Science

heliocentric

[hē′lē-ō-sĕn′trĭk]

Relating to or measured from the center of the Sun.
Relating to a model of the solar system or universe having the Sun as the center. Compare geocentric. See Note at Copernicus.