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Copernican

adjective
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Co·​per·​ni·​can | \ kə-ˈpər-ni-kən How to pronounce Copernican (audio) , kō- \

Definition of Copernican

1 : of or relating to Copernicus or the belief that the earth rotates daily on its axis and the planets revolve in orbits around the sun
2 : of radical or major importance or degree effected a Copernican revolution in philosophy — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Other Words from Copernican

Copernican noun
Copernicanism \ kə-​ˈpər-​ni-​kə-​ˌni-​zəm How to pronounce Copernican (audio) , kō-​ \ noun

First Known Use of Copernican

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for Copernican

Nicolaus Copernicus

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The first known use of Copernican was in 1667

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Cite this Entry

“Copernican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Copernican. Accessed 8 Mar. 2021.

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