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astrolabe

[ as-truh-leyb ]

noun

  1. an astronomical instrument for taking the altitude of the sun or stars and for the solution of other problems in astronomy and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant.


astrolabe

/ ˈæٰəˌɪ /

noun

  1. an instrument used by early astronomers to measure the altitude of stars and planets and also as a navigational aid. It consists of a graduated circular disc with a movable sighting device Compare sextant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

astrolabe

/ ăٰə-′ /

  1. An ancient instrument used widely in medieval times by navigators and astronomers to determine latitude, longitude, and time of day. The device employed a disk with 360 degrees marked on its circumference. Users took readings from an indicator that pivoted around the center of the suspended device like the hand of a clock. The astrolabe was replaced by the sextant in the 18th century.
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Other yvlog Forms

  • ·ٰ··· [as-tr, uh, -, lab, -i-k, uh, l, -, ley, -bi-], adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of astrolabe1

1325–75; Middle English, variant of astrolabie < Medieval Latin astrolabium < Late Greek ٰDZáDz, Greek ٰDZáDz (neuter of ٰDZáDz, adj. used as noun), equivalent to áٰ ( n ) star + lab- (variant stem of áԱ𾱲 to take, seize) + -on neuter suffix
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of astrolabe1

C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Greek, from astrolabos (adj), literally: star-taking, from astron star + lambanein to take
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The show begins with an extensive selection of luxury astrolabes, a technical instrument of engraved and ornamented metal plates and dials used for timekeeping, astronomy and navigation.

From

Dr. Sharvit speculated that, lacking compasses, astrolabes or sextants, seafarers in the 14th century B.C. probably relied on celestial navigation, taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions.

From

For 2,000 years, celestial observers mapped the heavens with astonishingly precise instruments called astrolabes.

From

“Children can hold an astrolabe and maneuver and point at a star, and a constellation will appear,” said Shaika Nasser al Nassr, deputy director of curatorial affairs for the museum.

From

One was an old bronze navigation device, like an astrolabe from a ship.

From

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