compass card

noun Navigation.

a circular card with magnets attached to its underside, the face divided on its rim into points of the compass, degrees clockwise from north, or both, and floating or suspended from a pivot so as to rotate freely.

Origin of compass card

First recorded in 1870–75

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for compass card

Historical Examples of compass card

A subdivision of the compass-card, equal to 2° 48′ 45″ of the circle.
The Sailor's Word-Book
William Henry Smyth
The captain stepped to the binnacle, and read the compass-card.
Adventures in Many Lands
Various
He flew mechanically, his head bent down to stare at the compass-card.
H.M.S. ----
Klaxon
The compass-card spun round like a teetotum, whirling faster and faster.
Gun running for Casement in the Easter rebellion, 1916
Karl Spindler
At last he laid the glasses down, glanced at the compass-card and walked to the cabin skylight which was open.
The Rescue
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for compass card

compass card

noun

a compass in the form of a card that rotates so that "0°" or "North" points to magnetic north

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