astrolabe

noun

Etymology: From Middle English astrelabie et al., from Middle French astrolabe, Old French astrelabe, from Ancient Greek ἀστρολάβος (astrolábos, “star-taking”), from ἄστρον (ástron, “star”) + λαμβάνω (lambánō, “I take”).

1. An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars.

   “The shop carries more than a dozen sundials, mostly of bronze, plus an astrolabe ($650) of wrought iron.”

   “The cafe serves a Moroccan breakfast (orange juice, yogurt, sweet crepes, honey and jam; 100 dirhams), and the Museum of Islamic Art offers wrought Persian astrolabes, Syrian copperwork and shimmering Moroccan textiles.”