almagest

noun

al·​ma·​gest ˈal-mə-ˌjest How to pronounce almagest (audio)
: any of several early medieval treatises on a branch of knowledge

Word History

Etymology

Middle English almageste, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-majusti, the Arabic version of Ptolemy's astronomy treatise, from al the + Greek megistē (syntaxis), literally, greatest (composition)

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of almagest was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near almagest

Cite this Entry

“Almagest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/almagest. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on almagest

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!