portolan Definition
a type of medieval nautical chart that shows the coastlines and ports of the Mediterranean in detail.
Using portolan: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "portolan" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The portolan was used by sailors to navigate the Mediterranean Sea.
Example
The portolan was a valuable tool for traders and explorers in the Middle Ages.
Example
The oldest surviving portolan dates back to the 13th century.
Origins of portolan
from Italian 'portolano', meaning 'a collection of sailing directions'
Summary: portolan in Brief
'Portolan' [pawr-tl-uh n, pohr-] is a noun that refers to a type of medieval nautical chart that shows the coastlines and ports of the Mediterranean in detail. It was used by sailors to navigate the sea and was a valuable tool for traders and explorers in the Middle Ages.
