Definition of Epicicle

Definition of Epicicle

Epicycle, an expression used in the Ptolemaic (q. v.) system of astronomy; the old belief that the celestial bodies moved in perfect circles round the earth was found to be inadequate to explain the varying position of the planets, a difficulty which led Ptolemy to invent his theory of epicycles, which was to the effect that each planet revolved round a centre of its own, greater or less, but that all these centres themselves moved in procession round the earth, a theory which fell to pieces before the investigations of Kepler and Newton.

- Wikipedia

Ep"i*cy`cle (?), n. [L. epicyclus, Gr. &?;; 'epi` upon + &?; circle. See Cycle.] 1. (Ptolemaic Astron.) A circle, whose center moves round in the circumference of a greater circle; or a small circle, whose center, being fixed in the deferent of a planet, is carried along with the deferent, and yet, by its own peculiar motion, carries the body of the planet fastened to it round its proper center.

The schoolmen were like astronomers which did feign eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of orbs.

Bacon.

2. (Mech.) A circle which rolls on the circumference of another circle, either externally or internally.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

(astronomy) (in Ptolemaic cosmology) a small circle, moving around the circumference of a larger circle having the earth at its centre; the supposed orbit of a planet
(mathematics) any circle whose circumference rolls around that of another circle, thus creating a hypocycloid or epicycloid

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

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