Alidade, for example, a rotary dial for angular positioning on an astrolabe, is a term borrowed from which language?

Question

In quantum mechanics and particle physics, what is the usual term for an intrinsic form of angular momentum carried by elementary particles, composite particles (hadrons), and atomic nuclei?

Answer 1

Arabic
An alidade or turning board is a device that allows one to sight a distant object and use the line of sight. The word with that meaning was used by, e.g., the Persian mathematician and astronomer Abu al-Wafa' Buzjani (died 998) and Andalusian-Arab polymath Abu al-Salt (died 1134). With modern technology, the name is applied to complete instruments such as the plane table alidade.