parallel rulers

plural noun

1. a pair of straightedges connected by two pivoted crosspieces of equal length so as to be parallel at all times, used for various navigational purposes, especially for transferring the bearing of a plotted course to a compass rose.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parallel rulers¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

“You do have eyes in the back of your heart. Come on over here, and I’ll show you how your father uses parallel rulers.”

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But he always remembered Elizabeth Boardman and the parallel rulers.

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Fosterdyke, busy with parallel rulers and compass was bending over a chart.

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Writing; materials for writing; pens; inks; use of coloured inks for denoting numbers; polygraph; telegraph; geometrical instruments; rulers; compasses; flexible rulers; squares; triangular compasses; parallel rulers; Marquois's scales; pantograph; proportional compasses; sector.

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I crossed the Channel on the 29th of July 1863, embarrassed by the possession of two ladders, each twelve feet long, which joined together like those used by firemen, and shut up like parallel rulers.

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