volvelle Obs. exc. Hist.
(ˈvɒlvɛl)
Also 5–6 voluell(e, 6 (9) volvell.
[ad. med.L. volvella or volvellum, app. f. volvĕre to turn.]
An old device consisting of one or more movable circles surrounded by other graduated or figured circles, serving to ascertain the rising and setting of the sun and moon, the state of the tides, etc.
| 14.. MS. Ashmole 191 fol. 199 The Rewle of the Voluelle. Now folowiþ here þe voluelle that sum men clepen a lunarie. c 1440 Astron. Cal. (MS. Ashm. 391), Now folowiþ þe thrid table þ{supt} is cleepid a voluelle or a lunary. 1501 in Kingsford Chron. Lond. (1905) 239 A Costlew pagent w{supt} a volvell by the which the xii signes moved aboute the Zodiak..and ouer that voluell Sat, in a stage or pynnacle, Raphaell the Arch angell. 1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1517 He turnyd his tirikkis, his voluell ran fast. a 1529 ― Sp. Parrot 137 Tholomye and Haly were cunnyng and wyse In the volvell, in the quadrant, and in the astroloby. 1843 in Dyce Wks. Skelton II. 336 A curious description of the volvell, with directions for its use. 1865 Athenæum 18 Feb. 233/2 One volvelle and an accompanying table do the work quickly enough. 1884 Manch. Exam. 16 Sept. 6/2 A curious Kalender, with an astronomical volvelle of which the stylus had been preserved. |