Armil

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Armil \Ar"mil\, n. [L. armilla a bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf.
     OF. armille.]
     1. A bracelet. [Obs.]
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     2. An ancient astronomical instrument.


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     Note: When composed of one ring placed in the plane of the
           equator for determining the time of the equinoxes, it
           is called an equinoctial armil; when of two or more
           rings, one in the plane of the meridian, for observing
           the solstices, it is called a solstitial armil.
           --Whewell.
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