a. [f. Gr. Κάλλιππος + -IC.] Of or pertaining to Callippus, a Greek astronomer who lived c. 350 B.C. Callippic cycle or period: a cycle proposed by him as an improvement on the Metonic cycle, consisting of 4 of the latter or 76 years, at the end of which, by omitting one day (i.e., making one month to have 29 days instead of 30) Callippus thought that the full and new moon would be brought round to the same day and hour.
1696. in Phillips.
1708. Kersey, Callippick Period.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The Calippic period itself is not accurate … it does not bring the new and full moons precisely to their places; but brings them too late, by a whole day, in 553 years.
1876. G. Chambers, Astron., 468. This cycle of 76 years (19 × 4) is known as the Cal[l]ippic period.
