astrolabe

American  

[as-truh-leyb] / ˈæs trəˌleɪb /

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and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant.

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astrolabe British  

/ ˈæstrəˌleɪb /

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

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astrolabe Scientific  

/ ăs′trə-lāb′ /

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 Word Forms

• astrolabical
  adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used for estimating the altitude and predicting the position of celestial objects, such as the moon, other planets, and stars. The ancient Greeks created most of the fields of study that exist today, and along the way they created many clever devices. One was the astrolabe. An astrolabe had the same purpose as the sextant, which came later: to make astronomical measurements. An astrolabe was portable, and it consisted of a metal disc, a sighting arm, and several rotating parts used in estimating unfathomable distances. The astrolabe was an important invention in the history of astronomy and astrology.

Example Sentences

The archipelago boasts some of the world’s healthiest reefs, including Astrolabe, Petrie, Chesterfield and Bellona, which are considered exceptional examples of coral ecosystems.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2018

When he arrived at Bourbon, his name not being on the crew’s list, he was arrested, and put on board the Astrolabe, which was then making a voyage round the world.

From Adventures in the Philippine Islands by La Gironière, Paul P. de

In the Astrolabe when comparing the moon’s motion with that of the other planets, he says: “for sothly, the mone moeveth the contrarie from othere planetes as in hir episicle, but in non other manere.”

From Astronomical Lore in Chaucer by Grimm, Florence M.

Two days later he made out Eoa; but before reaching Tonga Tabou he encountered a terrible storm which all but proved fatal to the Astrolabe.

From Celebrated Travels and Travellers Part III. The Great Explorers of the Nineteenth Century by D'Anvers, N.

Twenty times I saw the Astrolabe on the eve of destruction without once losing hope of her salvation.

From Celebrated Travels and Travellers Part III. The Great Explorers of the Nineteenth Century by D'Anvers, N.