astrolabe

[ as-truh-leyb ]

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and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant.

astrolabe

/ 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

astrolabe

/ 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.

Other Words From

• as·tro·lab·i·cal [as-tr, uh, -, lab, -i-k, uh, l, -, ley, -bi-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrolabe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrolabe¹

C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Greek, from astrolabos (adj), literally: star-taking, from astron star + lambanein to take

Example Sentences

If you ever wondered how astrolabes worked, down to the last detail, this is the book for you.

From 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.

From Science News

Mr. Brae, in the Appendix to his edition of Chaucer's Astrolabe (p. 101), has a long note on the present passage.

From Project Gutenberg

The Astrolabe had anchored in the same depth, and upon a similar bottom.

From Project Gutenberg

By this officer the following intelligence was brought back concerning the voyage of the Astrolabe and Boussole.

From Project Gutenberg

Astrolabe, an instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun or stars, now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.

From Project Gutenberg

But a passage in the prologue to the Astrolabe leaves it without doubt that Chaucer was quite familiar with lunar phenomena.

From Project Gutenberg