| binnacle |
| binnacle | (n) a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in front of the helm) |
| Binnacle | n. [ For bittacle, corrupted (perh. by influence of bin) fr. Pg. bitacola binnacle, fr. L. habitaculum dwelling place, fr. habitare to dwell. See Habit, and cf. Bittacle. ] (Naut.) A case or box placed near the helmsman, containing the compass of a ship, and a light to show it at night. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ] |
