Definitions for epicycle

epicycle ep·i·cy·cle

Spelling: [ep-uh-sahy-kuh l]
IPA: /ˈɛp əˌsaɪ kəl/

Epicycle is a 8 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 17 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 20 points.

You can make 108 anagrams from letters in epicycle (cceeilpy).

Definitions for epicycle

noun

  1. Astronomy. 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.
  2. Mathematics. a circle that rolls, externally or internally, without slipping, on another circle, generating an epicycloid or hypocycloid.

Origin of epicycle

1350-1400; Middle English Middle French Late Latin epicyclus Greek epíkyklos. See epi-, cycle

Examples for epicycle

The planet is supposed to move equably in the epicycle, and to be carried by the Sun unequably in the proportion of the distances.

The eighth sphere had neither deferent nor epicycle but to it were attached the fixed stars.

For the epicycle is a sphere which changes place in the circumference of the large sphere.

epicycle, ep′i-sī-kl, n. a circle having its centre on the circumference of a greater circle on which it moves.

epicycle, a conception of the ancient astronomy used to explain the irregular, and at times retrograde, motions of the planets.

In this epicycle he was not supposed to revolve, but to librate, or move up and down in its diameter.

The small circle carried by a bigger one was called an epicycle.

To help out of this difficulty, the worst possible mechanical scheme was invented, that known as the epicycle.

An epicycle in addition to the hypocycle was introduced into Mercury's orbit.

The circle Dd, described by D, the centre of the epicycle, was called the deferent.

Word Value for epicycle
Scrable

17

Words with friends

20

Similar words for epicycle
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