astrolabe

as·tro·labe

noun \ˈas-trə-ˌlāb also -ˌlab\

Definition of ASTROLABE

: a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant

Illustration of ASTROLABE

Origin of ASTROLABE

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French astrelabe, from Medieval Latin astrolabium, from Late Greek astrolabion, from Greek astrolabos, from astr- + lambanein to take — more at latch

First Known Use: 14th century