parallel rulers

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of parallel rulers

First recorded in 1695–1705

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parallel rulers

But he always remembered Elizabeth Boardman and the parallel rulers.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

Then, with my parallel rulers, I laid down a course from the Snark's position to Port Resolution.

From The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London

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.

From Heroes of Science: Physicists by William Garnett

The Captain changed his frown for a smile as the situation dawned on him, then, snatching the parallel rulers from the chart-table he began to belabour the most accessible portion of his gurgling subordinate's anatomy.

From H.M.S. —— by John Graham Bower

It is just as accurate, too, if you lay the distances off carefully with the dividers and parallel rulers.

From Lectures in Navigation by Ernest Gallaudet Draper

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