An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An equatorial mounting in which the upper end of the polar axis frame is made into a horseshoe shape to accommodate the telescope tube.

Etymology (EN): Horseshoe, from → horse + shoe, from
O.E. scoh “shoe,” from P.Gmc. *skokhaz (cf. Dan., Swed. sko, O.S. skoh, Du. schoen, O.H.G. scuoh, Ger. Schuh); → mounting.

Etymology (PE): Barnešând, → mounting; na’l “horseshoe, shoe,” loanword from Ar.