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

It therefore seemed to Abdul Mujid only a wise precaution to get rid of his prismatic compass as speedily as possible.

From The Story of the Guides by Younghusband, G. J.

The local attraction was so great on this hill that the prismatic compass was useless; luckily I had my pocket sextant with me, by which I obtained the included angles.

From Explorations in Australia, Illustrated, by Forrest, John

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.

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

I next called on Rumanika I gave him a Vautier's binocular and prismatic compass; on which he politely remarked he was afraid he was robbing me of everything.

From The Discovery of the Source of the Nile by Speke, John Hanning