binnacle

2 definitions found

binnacle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Binnacle \Bin"na*cle\, 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]

binnacle - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  binnacle
      n 1: a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in
           front of the helm)