almagest

English - English

Definition of almagest in English English dictionary

A comprehensive treaty on astronomy, geography, and mathematics compiled by Ptolemy circa 150 CE

Any of several Medieval treatises, especially those concerned with astronomy or alchemy

Astronomical and mathematical encyclopedia compiled AD 140 by Ptolemy. It served as the basic guide for Arab and European astronomers until the 17th century. The name derives from the Arabic for "the greatest." Its 13 books cover such topics as the geocentric (Earth-centred), or Ptolemaic, model of the solar system; eclipses; the coordinates and sizes of certain fixed stars; and the distances to the Sun and the Moon

{i} astronomy and mathematical encyclopedia by Ptolemy

The name was extended to other similar works

The celebrated work of Ptolemy of Alexandria, which contains nearly all that is known of the astronomical observations and theories of the ancients

Hyphenation

Al·ma·gest

Etymology

[ 'al-m&-"jest ] (noun.) 14th century. Middle English almageste, from Middle French & Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-majusti, the Arabic version of Ptolemy's astronomy treatise, from al the + Greek megistE , literally, greatest.