a
fixed case and stand that supports and protects a
ship's compass and is located near the
helm (the
steering gear of a
ship). It is usually built of hardwood or a nonmagnetic metal. The upper part consists of a protective
brass cover or
hood. I'
ve had such a
chap walk aboard, take a
look at the
helm and say, "So that is a
wheel! Well, I'
ve often wondered! And that is a binnacle, that's a compass!
a nonmagnetic stand for a
ship's compass. "And that is a binnacle, that's a compass!"
- Study and Intention (18 Aug. 66) n. a
fixed case, box or stand, positioned near a
ship's
helm, that houses a
ship's compass and often a light to
illuminate the compass. The
body of the binnacle is normally made of
hard wood or a nonmagnetic metal (to
prevent influence on the compass'
magnetic needle), with an uppermost
section consisting of a protective
brass cover or
hood. In older ships the binnacle was also used for stowage of other
items used on the deck, such as the
ship's
log book, candles and current charts. Originally spelled bittacle until the mid- 1700s, the
term derives from the Italian
word abitacola meaning little
house or habitation (
place where someone or something lives).