Binnacle

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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