Definition of Ptolemaic system in English:
Ptolemaic system
(also Ptolemaic theory)
nountɒləˈmeɪɪksɪstəmˈˌtɑləˈmeɪɪk ˈsɪstɪm
Astronomy historical The theory that the earth is the stationary centre of the universe, with the planets moving in epicyclic orbits within surrounding concentric spheres.
〔天文〕〈史〉托勒密（宇宙）体系，天动说（地球为宇宙静止中心，行星在周围同心天体之中的本轮轨道上运行）。比较COPERNICAN SYSTEM
Compare with Copernican system
Example sentencesExamples
- For many centuries, astronomers embraced the Ptolemaic theory: the Sun revolves around Earth.
- The Ptolemaic theory of all the planets encircling the earth could now be disproved once and for all.
- These phases revealed that Venus and Earth were sometimes on opposite sides of the Sun, a configuration impossible in the Ptolemaic theory.
- Suppose I decide that I believe the Ptolemaic system is more plausible than the Copernican system.
- The Ptolemaic system had been denied by many high officials and Jesuit astronomers even before Galileo was born.