ALL meanings of astrolabe
as·tro·labe
A a - noun astrolabe an instrument used by early astronomers to measure the altitude of stars and planets and also as a navigational aid. It consists of a graduated circular disc with a movable sighting device 3
- noun astrolabe an instrument formerly used to find the altitude of a star, etc.: it was replaced by the sextant 3
- noun astrolabe an astronomical instrument for taking the altitude of the sun or stars and for the solution of other problems in astronomy and navigation: used by Greek astronomers from about 200 b.c. and by Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages until superseded by the sextant. 1
- noun astrolabe 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. 1
- noun astrolabe astronomy: measuring instrument 1
- noun astrolabe An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars. 0