primum mobile

noun

pri·mum mo·bi·le ˈprī-məm-ˈmō-bə-lē

ˈprē-

plural primum mobiles

: the outermost concentric sphere conceived in medieval astronomy as carrying the spheres of the fixed stars and the planets in its daily revolution

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin prīmum mōbile, literally, "first moving thing" (as translation of Arabic al-muḥarrik al-awwal) from Latin prīmum, neuter of prīmus "first, earliest" + Medieval Latin mōbile, noun derivative from neuter of Latin mōbilis "moving quickly, shifting" — more at prime entry 1, mobile entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of primum mobile was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Primum mobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primum%20mobile. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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