Pelorus

1 definition found

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

  Pelorus \Pe*lo"rus\, n. [After Pelorus, said to have been
     Hannibal's pilot when he left Italy.] (Navig.)
     An instrument similar to a mariner's compass, but without
     magnetic needles, and having two sight vanes by which
     bearings are taken, esp. such as cannot be taken by the
     compass.


     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]