volvelle
[ vol-vel ]
/ ˈvɒl vɛl /
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noun Astronomy.
a medieval instrument consisting of a series of concentric rotating disks, used to compute the phases of the moon and its position in relation to that of the sun.
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Origin of volvelle
1400–50; late Middle English <Medieval Latin volvella, equivalent to Latin volv(ere) to turn + -ella-elle
Words nearby volvelle
volute, volute spring, volutin, volution, volva, volvelle, volvent, volvox, volvulosis, volvulus, Volzhsky
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for volvelle
The lunar phase volvelle can be seen through the circular opening at the back of the astrolabe.
On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass|Derek J. de Solla Price