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

This great event was preceded by the general utilization in Europe of the polarity of the magnetic Portuguese exploration—Prince Henry the Navigator. needle in the construction of the mariner’s compass.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various

Figure 36.—Unsigned wooden surveying compass, with an interesting example of a mariner's compass card.

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

Yet we should surely be regarded as very credulous if we could be induced to believe that the mariner’s compass has originated in that way.

From The Chain of Life in Geological Time A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants by Dawson, Sir J. William

There is nothing in the history of ancient navigation that is analogous to the invention of the mariner’s compass or of the steam-engine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 4 "Grasshopper" to "Greek Language" by Various

Why, they found out all about gunpowder and printing and the mariner’s compass, when Europe was sunk in the lowest depths of ignorance.

From Bert Wilson, Wireless Operator by Duffield, J. W.