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Al·ma·gest

(ălmə-jĕst′)

1. A comprehensive treatise on astronomy, geography, and mathematics compiled by Ptolemy about AD 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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