mariner's compass

American  

noun

1. a compass used for navigational purposes, consisting of a pivoted compass card in a gimbal-mounted, nonferrous metal bowl.

2. (initial capital letter) compass.

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Etymology

Origin of mariner's compass

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mariner's compass

A mariner's card, set into the opening with a metal vernier scale, is in the usual form of the mariner's compass card of the 18th century; it is executed as a line engraving.

From Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers by Bedini, Silvio A.

The electrometer remains as indifferent to the solicitations of the tables as does the mariner's compass.

From Mysterious Psychic Forces An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants by Flammarion, Camille

After the earlier Atlantic expeditions Sir William Thomson turned his attention to the construction of navigational instruments, and invented the mariner's compass and wire-sounding apparatus which are now so well known.

From Lord Kelvin An account of his scientific life and work by Gray, Andrew

If the problem to be solved were the origin of the mariner's compass, one might assert that it is wholly a physical arrangement both as to matter and force.

From The Origin of the World According to Revelation and Science by Dawson, John William

Among the great inventions of the past are alphabetical writing, Arabic notation, the mariner's compass, the telescope, the printing-press, and the steam-engine.

From Inventions in the Century by Doolittle, William Henry