prismatic compass

American  

noun

1. a hand compass equipped with sights and prisms to permit aiming the instrument at a point and at the same time reading the compass direction of the point.

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Etymology

Origin of prismatic compass

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Setting a prismatic compass in position upon the sill of one of the glazeless windows, Ramblethorne took a careful bearing in a seaward direction.

From The Submarine Hunters A Story of the Naval Patrol Work in the Great War by Hodgson, Edward S.

Meanwhile, Tatum had been reading a round of angles with the prismatic compass.

From The Ascent of Denali (Mount McKinley) A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America by Stuck, Hudson

Attached to the staff of the commander as engineer and topographical officer, he had ridden at will on the flanks of the column, a single orderly his sole attendant, a prismatic compass his only instrument.

From To The Front A Sequel to Cadet Days by King, Charles

Officers carried revolvers, field glasses, prismatic compass, and various other extras.

From The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. I Egypt, Gallipoli, Lemnos Island, Sinai Peninsula by Collett, Herbert Brayley

The trouble was overcome by building snow-mounds and taking back-angles to them with the prismatic compass.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Mawson, Douglas, Sir