almucantar

noun

al·​mu·​can·​tar

¦almyü¦kantə(r)

variants or less commonly almacantar

-mə-

plural -s

1

: a small circle of the celestial sphere parallel to the horizon and connecting all points of equal altitude

two stars on the same almucantar

2

: a telescope mounted on a mercurial float and used for observing the heavenly bodies as they cross a given almucantar

Word History

Etymology

alteration (probably influenced by Medieval Latin almucantarath) of earlier almicanter, from Middle English almicanteras (plural), from Middle French almicantarath, from Medieval Latin almicantarath, almucantarath, from Arabic al-muqanṭarāt the almucantars, from al- the + muqanṭarāt, plural of muqanṭarah almucantar, sundial, from qanṭarah bridge, arch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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