astrolabe

Definitions

astro (star) + -labe (Greek lambanein, 'to take, take hold of') = a device for 'taking' a star — i.e. taking its measurement. Sailors used it to find latitude from the height of a star above the horizon.

Common Collocations

• 1.ancient astrolabe古代星盘
• 2.maritime astrolabe海上星盘
• 3.Arabic astrolabe阿拉伯星盘

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Medieval sailors used an astrolabe to find their position at sea.

• 2.

  The museum displays a brass astrolabe from the tenth century.