almanac: [14] One of the first recorded uses of almanac in English is by Chaucer in his Treatise on the astrolabe 1391: ‘A table of the verray Moeuyng of the Mone from howre to howre, every day and in every signe, after thin Almenak’. At that time an almanac was specifically a table of the movements and positions of the sun, moon, and planets, from which astronomical calculations could be made; other refinements and additions, such as a calendar, came to be included over succeeding centuries.
The earliest authenticated reference to an almanac comes in the (Latin) works of the English scientist Roger Bacon, in the mid 13th century. But the ultimate source of the word is obscure. Its first syllable, al-, and its general relevance to medieval science and technology, strongly suggest an Arabic origin, but no convincing candidate has been found.
almanac (n.)
late 14c., attested in Anglo-Latin from mid-13c., via Old French almanach or Medieval Latin almanachus, which is of uncertain origin. It is sometimes said to be from a Spanish-Arabic al-manakh "calendar, almanac," but possibly ultimately from Late Greek almenichiakon "calendar," which is said to be of Coptic origin.
This word has been the subject of much speculation. Originally a book of permanent tables of astronomical data; one-year versions, combined with ecclesiastical calendars, date from 16c.; "astrological and weather predictions appear in 16-17th c.; the 'useful statistics' are a modern feature" [OED].
实用例句
1. He would resume pacing the courtyard and reading the almanac.
于是他又捧了那本历书,在廊下徘徊起来.
来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
2. His speeches are generalities from Poor Richard's Almanac.
他的演讲是出自老皇历的老生常谈.
来自演讲部分
3. A nautical almanac gives information about the sun, moon, tides, etc.
航海年历中有日 、 月 、 潮汐等的资料.
来自辞典例句
4. Joe sent away for a free almanac.
乔写信去要一份免费赠阅的年历.
来自辞典例句
5. And then the almanac lied, and said that spring had come.
