ASTROLABE
astrolabe
(noun) an early form of sextant
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
astrolabe (plural astrolabes)
An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars.
Anagrams
• roastable
Source: Wiktionary
As"tro*labe, n. Etym: [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F.
astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr.
1. (Astron.)
Definition: An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the
stars. It is now disused.
Note: 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 It is now superseded by the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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition