binnacle

[ bin-uh-kuhl ]

/ ˈbɪn ə kəl /

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noun Nautical.

a stand or enclosure of wood or nonmagnetic metal for supporting and housing a compass.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of binnacle

1615–25; bin + (bitt)acle (late Middle English bitakille) <Portuguese bitacola<Latin habitāculum lodge, equivalent to habitā- (see inhabit) + -culum-cule²

Words nearby binnacle

binky, bin Laden, bin Laden, Osama, bin liner, binman, binnacle, Binnig, binocle, binocular, binocular disparity, binocular rivalry

Other definitions for binnacle (2 of 2)

binnacle²

[ bin-uh-kuhl ]

/ ˈbɪn ə kəl /

New York State Older Use.

a side branch of a river; millrace.

Origin of binnacle

1855–60, Americanism; probably folk-etymological spelling of New York Dutch *binnekil, equivalent to Dutch binne(n) inner, interior (see ben¹) + kil channel; see kill²

How to use binnacle in a sentence

The bulwarks, boats, and binnacle were carried clean off, and the mainmast had to be cut away.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Ralph walked back to where Mr. Duff was standing at the binnacle, conning the ship.
Ralph Granger's Fortunes|William Perry Brown
As he spoke, he drew out a letter and handed it to him; and Tony, stooping down beside the binnacle light, read it over twice.
Tony Butler|Charles James Lever
He stripped up his sleeve and held his arm across the radiance of the binnacle light.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day

It was snowing by now and the flakes could be seen driving athwart the ship in the light of the skylights and the binnacle.
The Viking Blood|Frederick William Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for binnacle

binnacle

/ (ˈbɪnəkəl) /

noun

a housing for a ship's compass

Word Origin for binnacle

C17: changed from C15 bitakle, from Portuguese bitácula, from Late Latin habitāculum dwelling-place, from Latin habitāre to inhabit; spelling influenced by bin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012