Copernicanadj.n.
/kəʊˈpəːnɪkən/ A. adj.figurative.1889 E. Caird Crit. Philos. Kant I. 213 We should keep in mind this Copernican change of the centre from which the intelligible world is regarded.
Of or pertaining to Copernicus. Copernican system, Copernican theory: the astronomical system or theory propounded by Copernicus (and still held with modifications), according to which the planets, including the earth, move in orbits round the sun as a centre (in opposition to older notions, according to which the earth was supposed to be fixed, and the sun and planets to move round it).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > theory > [adjective] > specific
Ptolemean1623
Ptolemaical1653
Ptolemaic1654
Copernican1667
Tychonic1670
Newtonian1676
Tychonian1710
Galilean1728
vortician1734
pre-Copernican1851
Ptolemaian1864
pre-Galilean1880
post-Einsteinian1938
Velikovskian1974
1667 T. Sprat Hist. Royal-Soc. 246 A Copernican Sphere, representing the whirling Motion of the Sun, and the motion of the several Planets.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 501 Copernicus..is obliged to introduce a system of epicycles entirely resembling that of Ptolemy..But..the Copernican epicycles are more successful than the Ptolemaic.
B. n.
One who holds the Copernican theory.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > theory > [noun] > system of astronomy > specific > person who holds
Ptolemean1647
Ptolemaic1654
Copernicana1676
Ptolemaist1682
nebulist1848
vorticist1866
Galilean1925
steady-stater1966
Velikovskyite1972
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. iii. 80 The supposition of the eternal Motion of the Heaven or Sun; or if you will, of the Earth, as the Copernicans will have it.
1890 J. Martineau Seat Authority Relig. II. i. 151 In the present day, Catholics are Copernicans like other people.
Derivatives
Coˈpernicanism n. belief in the Copernican theory; the theory itself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > theory > [noun] > system of astronomy > specific
Newtonianism1814
Ptolemaism?1832
nebular hypothesis1833
nebular theory1846
Copernicanism1858
nebulous theory1860
nebula hypothesis1892
Velikovskyism1972
Velikovskianism1978
1858 D. Masson Life Milton (1874) I. 39 In the interval between that time and the completion of his Paradise Lost his Copernicanism may have become decided.
1889 Athenæum 11 May Blaming the action of the Roman authorities in their treatment of Copernicanism and of its aged and illustrious advocate.
Copernicize v. (intransitive) to hold the Copernican theory.
ΚΠ
1809–10 S. T. Coleridge Friend (1818) III. 200 How circumstantially..does Kepler demonstrate that Euclid copernicises!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2018).
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adj.n.1667