Meaning of astrolabe in English:


Pronunciation /ˈastrəleɪb/

Translate astrolabe into Spanish


mainly historical

    ‘Lavanha also studied instruments used in navigation, constructing astrolabes, quadrants and compasses.’
    • ‘Arab craftsmen produced complex astronomical instruments, astrolabes, which helped them plot the positions of the stars and tell the time of day.’
    • ‘The construction of astronomical instruments such as the astrolabe was also a speciality of the Arabs.’
    • ‘She was well known for her development and construction of astrolabes.’
    • ‘He also wrote works on astronomical instruments, for example on constructing and using an astrolabe.’


Late Middle English from Old French astrelabe, from medieval Latin astrolabium, from Greek astrolabon, neuter of astrolabos ‘star-taking’.