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 Copernicus, 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 Copernicus. ... 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.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
