Latin name Claudius Ptolemaeus. 2nd century ad, Greek astronomer, mathematician, and geographer. His Geography was the standard geographical textbook until the discoveries of the 15th century. His system of astronomy (see Ptolemaic system), as expounded in the Almagest, remained undisputed until the Copernican system was evolved
Ptolemy in American English1
(ˈtɑləmi)
noun
1.
name of a Macedonian dynasty of Egypt founded by Ptolemy I and ruling from 323 to 30 b.c.
2. Word forms: pluralˈPtolemies
a member of this dynasty
Ptolemy in American English2
(ˈtɑləmi)
1.
(L. name Claudius Ptolomaeus) 2d cent. a.d.; Alexandrian astronomer, mathematician, & geographer
2.
Ptolemy I367?-283 b.c.; general of Alexander the Great: 1st king of the Ptolemaic dynasty (323-285)
called Ptolemy Soter (“Savior”)
3.
Ptolemy II309-246 b.c.; king of Egypt (285-246): son of Ptolemy I