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 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
PUNTARVOLO, a vain-glorious 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 Every Man out of His Humour by Ben Jonson
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
Also, the name of the geometrical cross called Jacob's staff.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher
"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
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