astrolabe
[ as-truh-leyb ]
/ ˈæs trəˌleɪb /
noun
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and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant.
Origin of astrolabe
1325–75; Middle English, variant of
astrolabie < Medieval Latin
astrolabium < Late Greek
astrolábion, Greek
astrolábon (neuter of
astrolábos, adj. used as noun), equivalent to
ástro(n)
star +
lab- (variant stem of
lambánein to take, seize) +
-on neuter suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM astrolabe
as·tro·lab·i·cal [as-truh-lab-i-kuh l, -ley-bi-] /ˌæs trəˈlæb ɪ kəl, -ˈleɪ bɪ-/, adjectiveWords nearby astrolabe
astrogeology,
astroglia,
astrograph,
astroid,
astrol.,
astrolabe,
astrology,
astromancy,
astrometeorology,
astrometric binary,
astrometry
Example sentences from the Web for astrolabe
British Dictionary definitions for astrolabe
astrolabe
/ (ˈæstrəˌleɪb) /
noun
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
Word Origin for astrolabe
C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Greek, from
astrolabos (adj), literally: star-taking, from
astron star +
lambanein to take
Scientific definitions for astrolabe
astrolabe
[ ăs′trə-lāb′ ]
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.