Almagest

views updated May 21 2018

Almagest an Arabic version of Ptolemy's astronomical treatise; in the Middle Ages (also with lower-case initial) any celebrated treatise on astrology and alchemy. The word comes from Old French, based on Arabic, from al ‘the’ + Greek megistē ‘greatest (composition)’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Almagest

views updated May 23 2018

Almagest (Lat. form of Arab., al-majisti, which in turn is the Arab. form of Gk. megalē syntaxis). Ptolemy's work on astronomy, which became the basis of the extensive Muslim work in that field.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER

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Almagest

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