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almagest

 - 3 dictionary results

Al⋅ma⋅gest

  [al-muh-jest]
–noun
1. (italics) a Greek work on astronomy by Ptolemy.
2. (lowercase) any of various medieval works of a like kind, as on astrology or alchemy.
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Origin:
1350–1400; ME almageste < MF < Ar al the + majisṭī < Gk megístē (sýntaxis) greatest (composition)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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Al·ma·gest   (āl'mə-jěst')   
n.  

  1. A comprehensive treatise on astronomy, geography, and mathematics compiled by Ptolemy about A.D. 150.

  2. almagest Any of several medieval treatises concerned with astronomy or alchemy.


[Middle English almageste, from Old French, from Arabic al-majisti : al-, the + Greek megistē (suntaxis), greatest (composition), feminine of megistos, greatest, superlative of megas, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

almagest 
c.1386, treatise on astronomy by Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria, extended in M.E. to other works on astrology or astronomy, from O.Fr. almageste, from Arabic al majisti, from al "the" + Gk. megiste "the greatest (composition)," from fem. of megistos, superl. of megas "great." Originally titled in Gk. Megale syntaxis tes astronomios "Great Work on Astronomy;" Arab translators in their admiration altered this.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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