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Webster 1913 Edition
Astrolabe
As′tro-labe
(ăs′trō̍-lāb)
, Noun.
[OE.
astrolabie
, astrilabe
, OF. astrelabe
, F. astrolabe
, LL. astrolabium
, fr. Gr. ἀστρολάβον
; ἄστρον
star + [GREEK], [GREEK], to take.] 1.
(Astron.)
An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.
☞ Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.
2.
A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere.
Whewell.
Webster 1828 Edition
Astrolabe
AS'TROLABE
,Noun.
1.
An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun or stars at sea.2.
A stereographic projection of the sphere, either upon the plane of the equator, the eye being supposed to be in the pole of the world; or upon the plane of the meridian, the eye being in the point of intersection of the equinoctial and the horizon.3.
Among the ancients, the same as the modern armillary sphere.Definition 2024
astrolabe
astrolabe
English
An 18th century Persian astrolabe.
Noun
astrolabe (plural astrolabes)
- An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars.
Translations
See also
Anagrams
French
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀστρολάβος (astrolábos, “star-taking”), from ἄστρον (ástron, “star”) + λαμβάνω (lambánō, “I take”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /as.tʁɔ.lab/
- Homophone: astrolabes
- Hyphenation: as‧tro‧labe
Noun
astrolabe m (plural astrolabes)