armillary

[ahr-muh-ler-ee, ahr-mil-uh-ree]

adjective

1. consisting of hoops or rings.

armillary

/ ˈɑːmɪlərɪ, ɑːˈmɪlərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to bracelets

Word History and Origins

Origin of armillary¹

1655–65; < Latin armill ( a ) bracelet, hoop ( arm ( us ) shoulder ( arm ¹ ) + -illa diminutive suffix) + -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of armillary¹

C17: from New Latin armillaris, from Latin armilla bracelet

Example Sentences

Without a telescope, says Gysembergh, he must have used a sighting tube, known as a dioptra, or a mechanism called an armillary sphere.

From Scientific American

A crowded rink is a sweaty, wheeled armillary sphere.

From Washington Post

Static sculptures of Brahe’s so-called armillary sphere proliferate in public parks, but few if any allow for detailed measurements like the one in Santa Fe.

From Seattle Times

Ever heard of an armillary sphere, a radio latino or a theodolite?

From Washington Post

This steel-and-acrylic arrangement of mirrored circles and steel orbits suggests an armillary sphere laid flat; yet the X over the central circle is like the crosshairs in a gun sight.

From Wall Street Journal