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Copernicanism

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The doctrine that the earth moves round the sun, in opposition to the doctrine that the sun moves round the earth; so called after Nicolas Copernĭcus, the Prussian astronomer. (1473–1543.)

“Even Bellarmine does not by any means hold the consensus to be decisive against Copernicanism; for, in his letter to F. Foscarini, he says that though he does not believe that any proof of the earth’s motion can be adduced, yet, should such proof occur, he is quite prepared to change his views as to the meaning of the Scripture text.”—Nineteenth Century, May, 1886 (The Case of Galileo).


“Whereas it has come to the knowledge of the Holy Congregation that that false Pythagorean doctrine altogether opposed to Holy Scripture, on the mobility of the earth and the immobility of the sun, taught by Nicholas Copernieus… . . This congregation has decreed that the said book of Copernicus be suspended until it be corrected.”—Decree of the H. Congregation of the Index, A.D. 1616. (Quoted in the Nineteenth Century, as above.)

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Cooper
Cooper
Cooper
Cooper’s Hill
Coot
Cop (A)
Cop (A)
Cop
Cop (To)
Copenhagen
Copernicanism
Copesmate
Cophetua
Copper (A)
Copper
Copper
Copper Captain (A)
Copper Nose
Copper-nosed Harry
Copperheads
Copple