mariner's compass
Americannoun
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a compass used for navigational purposes, consisting of a pivoted compass card in a gimbal-mounted, nonferrous metal bowl.
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(initial capital letter) compass.
Etymology
Origin of mariner's compass
First recorded in 1620–30
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.
It is equally well known that the Chinese knew the art of printing, gunpowder and its uses, the mariner's compass, etc., centuries before we did.
From The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)
It is here that Flavio Gioja dwelt, by whom, as is boasted at Amalfi, the mariner's compass was given to the world.
From Naples Past and Present by Norway, Arthur H.
Yet we should surely be regarded as very credulous if we could be induced to believe that the mariner’s compass has originated in that way.
From The Chain of Life in Geological Time A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants by Dawson, Sir J. William
This was the message that he read: Please procure sardine tin opener mariner’s compass and bottle of champagne.
From Max Carrados by Bramah, Ernest
It is useless to come here," at length said Pez, decidedly losing patience, "without charts and a mariner's compass.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 15 by Various
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.
