portolan

English

Etymology

From French portulan, from Italian portolano.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɔːtələn/

Noun

portolan (plural portolans)

  1. (historical, nautical) A chart of European navigable waters based on descriptions of coasts. [from 18th c.]
    • 2012, Simon Garfield, On the Map, Profile Books, page 110:
      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.

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