[koh-pur-ni-kuh
s, kuh-] 
| 1. | Nic⋅o⋅la⋅us [nik-uh-ley-uhs] , (Mikolaj Kopernik), 1473–1543, Polish astronomer who promulgated the now accepted theory that the earth and the other planets move around the sun (the Copernican System). |
| 2. | a crater in the second quadrant of the face of the moon, having an extensive ray system: about 56 mi. (90 km) in diameter from crest to crest with walls rising about 12,000 ft. (3650 m) from its floor; having several central mountains the highest being about 2400 ft. (730 m). |
| Co·per·ni·cus (kō-pûr'nə-kəs, kə-) Polish astronomer who advanced the theory that Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun, disrupting the Ptolemaic system of astronomy. |