portolano

American  

[pawr-tl-ah-noh, pohr-] / ˌpɔr tlˈɑ noʊ, ˌpoʊr- /

noun

plural

portolanos, portolani

1. a descriptive atlas of the Middle Ages, giving sailing directions and providing charts showing rhumb lines and the location of ports and various coastal features.

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Etymology

Origin of portolano

1855–60; < Italian: shipmaster's guidebook; earlier, harbor master < Medieval Latin portulānus. See port ¹, -ule, -an

Example Sentences

The director of the documentary, sports journalist Marie Portolano, said the film was intended to denounce a “way of thinking” in the wake of the #MeToo and other feminist movements.

From Seattle Times

Photographer Brice Portolano documented Ayal as he waits to depart, splitting his time between school, his computer, and on solitary walks through the frosty landscape of his village.

From BBC

In a statement, head of mission Major-General Luciano Portolano urged both sides "to exercise utmost restraint against any provocation."

From Reuters

Tommaso Foco of Portolano Cavallo, an Italian law firm, says that bankruptcy is still a source of shame in Italy, so that by the time entrepreneurs admit they are struggling it is often too late to save the company.

From Economist

It is certainly not a record of actual travel, but probably the description of an imaginary journey, compiled with the help of a richly illustrated typical portolano, reports by far-famed and travelled men, and such geographical works as were accessible to the author.

From Project Gutenberg