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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 It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.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.
[Gr. a star, and to take.]
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)

  1. 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)

  1. astrolabe