Jacob's staff
Americannoun
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Jacob's staves
plural
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Astronomy. cross-staff.
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Surveying. a pole providing a firm support for a compass or other instrument.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Jacob's staff
First recorded in 1540–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By Jacob's staff, I swear I have no mind of feasting forth to-night; But I will go.
From The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
A third instrument, also to measure the height of a celestial body, was called the Jacob's staff.
From The Age of the Reformation by Preserved Smith
His life is upright, for he is always looking upward, yet dares believe nothing above primum mobile, for 'tis out of the reach of his Jacob's staff.
From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various
The instrument is mounted on a tripod or Jacob's staff by means of a socket on the underside.
From Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers by Silvio A. Bedini
The bear again disappeared, taking the Jacob's staff, and appeared no more that night.
From Bears I Have Met—and Others by Allen Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
