Middle English Dictionary Entry
volvelle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | volvelle n. |
| Etymology | ML volvella |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
= lunarie n.(2).
Associated quotations
- c1440 *Astron.Cal.[OD col.] (Ashm 391) : Now folowiþ þe thrid table þt is cleepid a voluelle or a lunary.
- a1500 Astron.Cal.in Dyce Skelton (Ashm 191)2.336 : The Rewle of the Voluelle: Now folowiþ here þe voluelle that sum men clepen a lunarie.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 Treat.Quadrant(1) (Trin-C R.14.52)636/388 : In that other side is first set the voluel and than the reete, in whiche lymbe is a cercle of tyme with the monethis, nomber of daies, and his divisiouns.
Note: Ed.: "voluel n. 'a moving pointer on a quadrant'."
Note: ?New sense.
Note: ?New form.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 Treat.Quadrant(1) (Trin-C R.14.52)638/431 : Set the gree of the sonne on thi orizont occidental and turne the voluel vp the gree of the sonne, and than the grees that bien bitwene þe lyne meridian and the rule is half the arke of the day.
Note: Ed.: "voluel n. 'the rete on an astrolabe'."
Note: ?New sense.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 Staff Jacob (Trin-C R.14.52)664/1297,1298 : Iff thow wilt make the Staff of Jacob, take a iiij-square yerd to the length of j or ij elnes, lengger or shorter. Than take the voluel to the length of j or ij handful. And the longitude or length of that voluel thow shalt signe or marke in a yerd.
Note: Ed.: "voluel n. 'a moving cross-piece on a measuring rod'."
Note: ?New sense.
Note: Ed. (in 'A Note on Technical Terminology,' p. 618): "From the various uses to which the term volvel is put, it may be inferred that its general meaning is 'a rotating or moving part, especially on an astronomical instrument.' It sometimes, though rarely, refers to the rete on an astrolabe... It is also used to name the cross-piece that moves along the rod of a Jacob's staff... In relation to quadrants, it refers to a calendrical scale on the back of the instrument, a system of graduated disks used for finding the approximate places of planets on any given date."