astrolabe

[ as-truh-leyb ]

/ ˈæs trəˌleɪb /

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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and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant.

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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-kuhl, -ley-bi-], /ˌæs trəˈlæb ɪ kəl, -ˈleɪ bɪ-/, adjective

Words nearby astrolabe

astrogate, astrogeology, astrograph, astroid, astrol., astrolabe, astrology, astromancy, astrometeorology, astrometric binary, astrometry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use astrolabe in a sentence

If you ever wondered how astrolabes worked, down to the last detail, this is the book for you.
‘The Light Ages’ illuminates the science of the so-called Dark Ages|Tom Siegfried|January 8, 2021|Science News
Most noteworthy among the instruments of the day was the astrolabe, a contraption containing movable disks to measure and represent the positions of astronomical objects.
‘The Light Ages’ illuminates the science of the so-called Dark Ages|Tom Siegfried|January 8, 2021|Science News
Mr. Brae, in the Appendix to his edition of Chaucer's Astrolabe (p. 101), has a long note on the present passage.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
The Astrolabe had anchored in the same depth, and upon a similar bottom.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers|Jules Verne

By this officer the following intelligence was brought back concerning the voyage of the Astrolabe and Boussole.
The Voyage Of Governor Phillip To Botany Bay|Arthur Phillip
Astrolabe, an instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun or stars, now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
But a passage in the prologue to the Astrolabe leaves it without doubt that Chaucer was quite familiar with lunar phenomena.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer|Florence M. Grimm

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 deviceCompare 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

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

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.