Synonyms:
Hooke, Robert_Hooke
Meaning: English scientist who formulated the law of elasticity and proposed a wave theory of light and formulated a theory of planetary motion and proposed the inverse square law of gravitational attraction and discovered the cellular structure of cork and introduced the term `cell' into biology and invented a balance spring for watches (1635-1703)
Usage examples
In the next edition Newton liberally recognizes the claims of both Hooke and Wren.
The theory of gravitation seemed to be in the air, and Wren, Hooke, and Halley had many a talk about it.
Hooke began as his assistant, but being of a most extraordinary ingenuity he rapidly rose so as to exceed his master in importance.
They knew it ought to be an ellipse if it was to serve to explain the planetary motion, and Hooke said he could prove that an ellipse it was; but he was nothing of a mathematician, and the others scarcely believed him.