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A.Word.A.Day--armillary

armillary (AHR-muh-ler-ee, ahr-MIL-uh-ree) adjective

Of or pertaining to rings, circles, or hoops.

[From Latin armilla (bracelet, ring), from armus (shoulder).]

An armillary sphere is an ancient instrument made up of rings around a sphere, depicting the relative positions of important circles of the celestial sphere. Nowadays, they are popular as garden adornments. Picture of an armillary sundial.

See more usage examples of armillary in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

"Betty planted a box honeysuckle hedge in a semi-circle at the far end but the focal point in her vista is an armillary sphere--a skeletal metal globe." Formal Invitation; Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand); Mar 15, 2003.

"A terrestrial globe housed within a series of 11 interlocking armillary rings." Mary Kay Ricks; Chart a Course to the Library of Congress; The Washington Post; Mar 10, 1999.

This week's theme: miscellaneous words.

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