binnacle

¹

[bin-uh-kuhl]

noun

Nautical.

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

binnacle

²

[bin-uh-kuhl]

New York State Older Use.

1. a side branch of a river; millrace.

binnacle

/ ˈbɪnəkəl /

noun

1. a housing for a ship's compass

Word History and Origins

Origin of binnacle¹

1615–25; bin + ( bitt ) acle ( late Middle English bitakille ) < Portuguese bitacola < Latin habitāculum lodge, equivalent to habitā- ( inhabit ) + -culum -cule ²

Origin of binnacle²

1855–60, probably folk-etymological spelling of New York Dutch *binnekil, equivalent to Dutch binne ( n ) inner, interior ( ben ¹ ) + kil channel; kill ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of binnacle¹

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

Example Sentences

The instrument cluster — a thin, curved LCD panel — replaces the usual gauge binnacle.

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Every version comes loaded with double-layered glass, fully adjustable heated rear seats, real wood trim, a 12-inch high-definition touch navigation screen and a binnacle between the front seats that can recharge your smart phone wirelessly.

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Under the front binnacle, the display integrates status readouts with ongoing route data.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On one side of the structure is a protruding gray steel window that Mr. Radic likens to a binnacle, the box that encases a ship’s compass.

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A cased sausage hung from a wire beside the binnacle; the cot was neatly made up.

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