planisphere

American  

[plan-uh-sfeer, play-nuh-] / ˈplæn əˌsfɪər, ˈpleɪ nə- /

noun

1. a map of half or more of the celestial sphere with a device for indicating the part of a given location visible at a given time.

2. a projection or representation of the whole or a part of a sphere on a plane.

---

planisphere British  

/ ˈplænɪˌsfɪə /

noun

1. a projection or representation of all or part of a sphere on a plane surface, such as a polar projection of the celestial sphere onto a chart

---

Other Word Forms

• planispheral
  adjective
• planispheric
  adjective
• planispherical
  adjective

---

Etymology

Origin of planisphere

1350–1400; plani- + sphere; replacing Middle English planisperie < Medieval Latin plānisphaerium

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

planisphere

The Getty exhibits a planisphere clock, demonstrating mean time and solar time in cities around the globe, as well as the timing of the tides in northern ports.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 29, 2011

In summer I sometimes come outside at night with my torch and my planisphere, which is two circles of plastic with a pin through the middle.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

On that planisphere the seaboard of the present states of Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island is called "the land of Estevan Gomez."

From Henry Hudson A Brief Statement of His Aims and His Achievements by Thomas A. (Thomas Allibone) Janvier

Then my eyes fell upon the vast planisphere spread upon the table, and I placed my finger on the very spot where the given latitude and longitude crossed.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne

A copy, or planisphere, of Behem's globe is given by Cladera in his investigations.

From The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Volume II) by Washington Irving

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---