Metonic cycle
[ mi-ton-ik ]
/ mɪˈtɒn ɪk /
noun Astronomy.
a cycle of 235 synodic months, very nearly equal to 19 years, after which the new moon occurs on the same day of the year as at the beginning of the cycle with perhaps a shift of one day, depending on the number of leap years in the cycle.
Origin of Metonic cycle
1880–85; named after
Meton, 5th-century b.c. Athenian astronomer; see
-ic
British Dictionary definitions for metonic cycle
Metonic cycle
/ (mɪˈtɒnɪk) /
noun
a cycle of nearly 235 synodic months after which the phases of the moon recur on the same days of the year
See also golden number
Word Origin for Metonic cycle
C17: named after
Meton, 5th-century
bc Athenian astronomer