Found 2 items, similar to Astrolabe.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: astrolabe astrolabe n : an early form of sextant
English → English (gcide) Definition: Astrolabe Astrolabe \As"tro*labe\ ([a^]s"tr[-o]*l[=a]b), n. [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr. 'astrola`bon; 'a`stron star + ?, ?, to take.] 1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused. [1913 Webster] 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 It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant. [1913 Webster] 2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]