nhật khuê
Definition
Noun:
- Diurnal sundial: An ancient astronomical instrument consisting of a gnomon (a raised pointer) and a flat, horizontal dial plate. It is used to determine the time of day by measuring the direction and length of the shadow cast by the gnomon, which indicates the Sun's position in the sky.
Noun (Astronomy):
- An instrument for measuring solar and lunar position: A device used to determine the azimuth (compass direction) and altitude (height above the horizon) of the Sun or the Moon, thereby also calculating the time.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nhật khuê là một công cụ cổ đại để đo thời gian. (The diurnal sundial is an ancient tool for measuring time.)
- Nhờ nhật khuê, người xưa có thể xác định giờ trong ngày. (Thanks to the diurnal sundial, ancient people could determine the time of day.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "nhật khuê" is primarily a historical and technical term found in classical texts or discussions of ancient astronomy and timekeeping. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Đồng hồ mặt trời (n): sundial. This is the more common, general modern term.
- Đồng hồ mặt trời trong vườn rất đẹp. (The sundial in the garden is very beautiful.)
Synonyms
- Sundial: A device that tells the time by the position of the Sun's shadow.
- Horologe (astronomical): A general, often historical, term for an instrument for measuring time.
Related Terms
- Gnomon: The part of a sundial that casts the shadow.
- Mặt trời: Sun.
- Bóng: Shadow.