古代天文仪器词语辨考二则

Two Subject Research on Ancient Words in Astronomy Instruments

关于“圭臬”一词的本义,“臬”字争议较大,研究表明,“臬”与“水臬”不同,“臬”为测影仪,“水臬”为水平仪,“臬”的功能是测方位,不能“度广狭”,也不能“求地中”,“圭臬”当为同义复词。又“仪”、“象”常被混淆,实则“仪”、“象”有别,“象”为天体演示仪器,“仪”为观测仪器,有时“仪”又可作“仪”、象”的通称,“仪”、“象”则都可称作“浑天”。

There are some different viewpoints on Nie, regarding the origin of Gui nie. Research shows that Nie is an instrument to measure shadow; Shui Nie is an instrument to measure horizontal plane. Nie is used to measure the shadow, not to measure the width, and not to find the center of the word too. Gui nie is together a righteous compound word. Moreover, the Yi and the Xiang were often confused. In fact, they are different. The Xiang is an instrument to show the moving of celestial body, and the Yi is an instrument to watch celestial body. Sometimes the Yi can be the general name of Yi and Xiang. Both Yi and Xiang can be called Huntian.