Ptolemaic

adjective

Ptol·​e·​ma·​ic ˌtä-lə-ˈmā-ik 

1

: of or relating to the second century geographer and astronomer Ptolemy of Alexandria and especially to his belief that the earth is at the center of the universe with the sun, moon, and planets revolving around it

the Ptolemaic system

2

: of or relating to the Greco-Egyptian Ptolemies ruling Egypt from 323 to 30 b.c.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Reenactments of Cleopatra’s experience and anecdotes from Egyptian studies scholars help paint a clear picture of what life might have been like for the Ptolemaic royal. —Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 12 May 2023

The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle. —Carlie Procell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2023

Images of the zodiac signs and their correlating constellations appear on pottery and sarcophagi from the Ptolemaic era. —Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2023

And now, a new discovery is shedding light on perceptions of the ancient pharaoh during the Ptolemaic period, about 1,000 years after his death. —Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek Ptolemaikos, from Ptolemaios Ptolemy

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1