patent log

American  

[pat-nt lawg, log] / ˈpæt nt ˌlɔg, ˌlɒg /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various devices for determining the speed of a ship by means of a vaned rotor streamed at the end of a logline upon which it exerts a torsion transmitted to a registering device on board.

---

patent log British  

noun

1. nautical any of several mechanical devices for measuring the speed of a vessel and the distance travelled, consisting typically of a trailing rotor that registers its rotations on a meter Compare chip log

---

Etymology

Origin of patent log

First recorded in 1875–80

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

patent log

The patent log on the taffrail periodically rang a single tinkling stroke for every mile traversed on an errand of faith.

From Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

Mile after mile was covered as shown by the patent log.

From Under the Ocean to the South Pole Or, the Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder by Roy Rockwood

I knew what he meant, and didn't ask him, but went on cleaning the brass cogwheels of the patent log and oiling the bearings with a feather.

From Man Overboard! by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford

"Twelve knots," reports Old Hickory, inspectin' the patent log.

From Wilt Thou Torchy by Sewell Ford

By the distance we had run, as shown by the patent log and compared with the chart, there had been a current against us of more than a knot an hour.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Robert Fitzroy

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---