Reasons for the Age of Exploration-definitions Flashcards
Define Dysentery?
A disease spread by infected water.
Define Compass?
An instrument that points to the magnetic North.
Define Astroblade?
An instrument used to measure latitude.
Define Lateen sails?
Sails that were triangular in shape copied from Arab ships.
Define Scurvy?
A disease caused by the absence of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Define Cross-Staff?
An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitude of a celestial body.
Define Navigation?
The process of accurately ascertaining one’s position.
Define Caravel?
Small, fast and easy to steer ships developed by the Portuguese around 1400.
Define Hardtack?
Biscuits commonly eaten on voyages.
Define Quadrant?
An instrument used for taking angular measurements of altitude in astronomy and navigation.
Define Nao? Carrack?
A large ship bigger than the previous caravel. It used lateen and square sails.
Define Mapmaking?
The art of making a map. Practiced by cartographers.
Define Log and line?
The log and line was a method of measuring the speed of a ship. A log attached to a rope would be thrown into the water and the speed would be determined by how much rope was used in a certain amount of time. Speed is still measured on ships in knots today.
Define Latitude?
The angular distance of a place north or south of the equator.
Define Spice trade?
The trade of spices between Asia, Europe and Northeast Africa.
