antichthon

[ an-tik-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

, plural an·tich·tho·nes [an-, tik, -th, uh, -neez].

1. counterearth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antichthon¹

1645–55; < Latin antichthonēs (plural) < Greek antíchthones the antipodes, equivalent to antí anti- + chthon- (stem of chthṓn ) earth + -es plural noun suffix

Example Sentences

The Pythagoreans, on the other hand, attributed perfection to the number ten; but agreed in thinking that the perfect number must be somehow realized in the heavens; and knowing only of nine heavenly bodies, to make up the enumeration, they asserted "that there was an antichthon or counter-earth, on the other side of the sun, invisible to us."

From Project Gutenberg

The Pythagoreans, on the other hand, attributed perfection to the number ten; but agreed in thinking that the perfect number must be somehow realized in the heavens; and knowing only of nine heavenly bodies, to make up the enumeration, they asserted “that there was an antichthon, or counter-earth, on the other side of the sun, invisible to us.”

From Project Gutenberg

He wrote nothing, but is supposed to have said that the earth, moon, five planets, and fixed stars all revolve round the sun, which itself revolves round an imaginary central fire called the Antichthon.

From Project Gutenberg

Hicetes the Pythagorean, that there are two earths, this and the Antichthon, or the earth opposite to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Philolaus the Pythagorean gives to fire the middle place, and this is the source fire of the universe; the second place to the Antichthon; the third to that earth which we inhabit, which is placed in opposition unto and whirled about the opposite,—which is the reason that those which inhabit that earth cannot be seen by us.

From Project Gutenberg