primum mobile

[pree-moom moh-bi-le, prahy-muhm mob-uh-lee, pree-]

noun

Latin.

1. (in Ptolemaic astronomy) the outermost of the 10 concentric spheres of the universe, making a complete revolution every 24 hours and causing all the others to do likewise.

2. prime mover.

primum mobile

/ ˈpraɪmʊm ˈməʊbɪlɪ /

noun

1. a prime mover

2. astronomy the outermost empty sphere in the Ptolemaic system that was thought to revolve around the earth from east to west in 24 hours carrying with it the inner spheres of the planets, sun, moon, and fixed stars

Word History and Origins

Origin of primum mobile¹

Literally, “first moving (thing)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of primum mobile¹

C15: from Medieval Latin: first moving (thing)

Example Sentences

“Hellgate” is now the orifice in the primum mobile towards the empyrean.

From Project Gutenberg

Moral virtue is with me a primum mobile in all things.

From Project Gutenberg

Here it clearly refers to the primum mobile; it often applies to the whole expanse of the heavens.

From Project Gutenberg

I need not say that your correspondent is quite right in referring the words first moved to the primum mobile.

From Project Gutenberg

Hostility to the foreigner is the primum mobile of their local policy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• instigator 
• motivator 
• mover