chip log

noun

Nautical.

1. a log for measuring the speed of a vessel.

chip log

noun

1. nautical a log for determining a vessel's speed, consisting of a wooden chip tossed overboard at the end of a line that is marked off in lengths of 47 feet 3 inches; the speed is calculated by counting the number of such intervals that pass overboard in a 28-second interval

Word History and Origins

Origin of chip log¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The chip log consists of a reel, line, toggle and chip.

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The principle of the chip log is that each division of the log line bears the same ratio to a nautical mile that the log glass does to the hour.

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