pelorus

American  

[puh-lawr-uhs, -lohr-] / pəˈlɔr əs, -ˈloʊr- /

noun

Navigation.

plural

peloruses

1. a device for measuring in degrees the relative bearings of observed objects.

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pelorus British  

/ pɪˈlɔːrəs /

noun

1. a sighting device used in conjunction with a magnetic compass or a gyrocompass for measuring the relative bearings of observed points

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Etymology

Origin of pelorus

1850–55; perhaps < Latin Pelōrus, now Faro in Sicily, a cape which requires skill in navigation

Example Sentences

"Better use the pelorus and be careful about West Chop's bearing after we pass her, Mr. Bangs," Captain Mayo warned his first mate.

From Blow The Man Down A Romance Of The Coast - 1916 by Day, Holman

These bearings will be secured in the best way by the use of your pelorus.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

Steady the ship on this heading until the shadow from the pelorus vane at the proper L.A.T. cuts the circumference of the pelorus dial at the proper magnetic bearing.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

Zircon took sightings with the pelorus, then calculated his readings.

From The Pirates of Shan by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)

Starboard or port your helm until at the time calculated the reflection of the sight vane on the pelorus dial cuts on the proper magnetic bearing.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet