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.
A vainglorious knight, over-Englishing his travels, and wholly consecrated to singularity; the very Jacob's staff of compliment; a sir that hath lived to see the revolution of time in most of his apparel.
From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various
"He will try the efficacy of the mystic Jacob's staff."
From A Handbook to the Works of Browning (6th ed.) by Mrs. Sutherland Orr
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
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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
