portolan en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈpɔːtələn/ (UK)
Etymology
From French portulan, from Italian portolano.
Meanings
-
(historical) A chart of European navigable waters based on descriptions of coasts.
Portolans are as old as the European mariner's magnetic compass, and for about two centuries the two depended on each other for the growth and safe passage of Mediterranean trade.
2012, Simon Garfield, On the Map, Profile Books, page 110:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| portolano | alternative | lexicographic | |
| portolans | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| portulan | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (8)
pl portolan (chart of European navigable waters) · tr portolan (chart of European navigable waters) · fr portulan (chart of European navigable waters) · es portulano (chart of European navigable waters) · pt portulano (chart of European navigable waters) · de Portolan (chart of European navigable waters) · it portolano (chart of European navigable waters) · ca portolà (chart of European navigable waters)