portolano

[ pawr-tl-ah-noh, pohr- ]

noun

, plural por·to·la·nos, por·to·la·ni [pawr-tl-, ah, -nee, pohr-].

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of portolano¹

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

Example Sentences

Just a few years ago, few criticized him for behavior that they now don’t dare defend in public, including forcibly kissing women on the mouth on television and, in front of a studio audience in 2016, lifting the skirt of a female journalist — Marie Portolano, the producer of the documentary.

From New York Times

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 Washington Times

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