astrolabe
noun chiefly historical
an instrument formerly used to make astronomical measurements, typically of the altitudes of celestial bodies, and in navigation for calculating latitude, before the development of the sextant. In its basic form (known from classical times), it consists of a disk with the edge marked in degrees and a pivoted pointer.
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French astrelabe, from medieval Latin astrolabium, from Greek astrolabon, neuter of astrolabos ‘star-taking.’
I have a cunning plan to make the bottom of my garden a World Heritage Centre. The chances of it working are minimal … I know my limitations.
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