In the early years of the scientific revolution, the theory of heliocentrism was viewed with deep skepticism by both religious authorities and the academic establishment. However, as astronomers began to publish increasingly precise planetary observations, the Copernican system slowly gained currency among younger scholars who were eager to challenge traditional Ptolemaic models. By the mid-seventeenth century, what had once been dismissed as a radical and unproven speculation was widely accepted as the standard framework of celestial mechanics.
As it is used in the passage, the word *currency* most nearly means which of the following?
- Amoney
- acceptanceAnswer
- Cvalue
- Dspeed
Answer
The option stating 'acceptance' is the correct answer.
In the context of the passage, 'currency' refers to the state of being commonly accepted, believed, or circulated. This is supported by the last sentence, which notes that the system became 'widely accepted' by the mid-seventeenth century.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying the secondary meaning of a common word using context clues.