epicyclic, a. (and n.)
(ɛpɪˈsɪklɪk)
[f. prec. + -ic.]
Of or pertaining to epicycles; applied esp. to the gear of motor vehicles. Also as n. epicyclic train: one in which the axes of the wheels revolve around a common centre.
| 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sc. iii. iv. §2 I. 197 The supposition of uniform circular motions, on which the epicyclic hypothesis proceeds. 1878 Newcomb Pop. Astron. Introd. 5 The theory of the epicyclic motions of the planets. 1881 Proctor Poetry Astron. viii. 277 Those points of its [the moon's] epicyclic orbit about the earth where it is at its nearest to us. 1902 H. Sturmey in A. C. Harmsworth Motors x. 197 A Crypto or epicyclic gear..consists of two gear wheels, a small one A, with external teeth, and a large one B arranged on the outside of it with internal teeth. 1906 Daily Chron. 9 June 3/5 Another kind of gear, known as the epicyclic, its principle resembling that of the differential. 1907 Westm. Gaz. 13 Nov. 9/1 Three-speed epicyclic gear. 1910 Ibid. 1 Feb. 4/2 Many of the old epicyclics failed solely for the reason that their designers were too niggardly with the wearing surfaces. 1937 Times 13 Apr. p. xv/4 The manufacture of epicyclic gears is highly specialized work. 1948 Autocar Handbk. (ed. 20) vi. 120 The Wilson gear box..uses epicyclic or ‘planetary’ gears. |
Hence epiˈcyclical a. = epicyclic a.
| 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sc. iii. iv. §6 I. 217 The epicyclical theory. 1854 Moseley Astron. liv. 170 With respect to Venus, an analogous Epicyclical path..will be found. |