analemma

[an-l-em-uh] /ˌæn lˈɛm ə/
noun, plural analemmas, analemmata
[an-l-em-uh-tuh] /ˌæn lˈɛm ə tə/ (Show IPA)
1.
a scale shaped like the figure 8, showing the declination of the sun and the equation of time for each day of the year.
Origin
1645-55; < Latin: pedestal of a sundial, sundial < Greek análēmma support
Related forms
analemmatic
[an-l-e-mat-ik] /ˌæn l ɛˈmæt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
British Dictionary definitions for analemma

analemma

/ˌænəˈlɛmə/
noun (pl) -mas, -mata (-mətə)
1.
a graduated scale shaped like a figure eight that indicates the daily declination of the sun
Derived Forms
analemmatic (ˌænəlɛˈmætɪk) adjective
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: sundial, pedestal of sundial, from Greek analēmma pedestal, from analambanein to support
Word Origin and History for analemma
n.

1650s, from Latin analemma "the pedestal of a sundial," hence the sundial itself, from Greek analemma "prop, support," from analambanein "to receive, take up, restore," from ana- "up" (see ana-) + lambanein "to take," from PIE root *(s)lagw- "to seize, take" (cf. Sanskrit labhate, rabhate "seizes;" Old English læccan "to seize, grasp;" Greek lazomai "I take, grasp;" Old Church Slavonic leca "to catch, snare;" Lithuanian lobis "possession, riches").