binnacle

English

Etymology

Earlier bittacle, from French habitacle. Or from Spanish bitacula or Portuguese bitacola, both from Latin habitaculum (little dwelling place).[1] Compare Spanish bitácora.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbɪnəkəl/

Noun

binnacle (plural binnacles)

  1. (nautical) The wooden housing for a ship's compass, with its corrector magnets and illuminating arrangements. The log and other equipment for measuring the ship's speed are also stowed there.
  2. The instrument cluster on a car or motorcycle.

Translations

References

  1. binnacle” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2019.
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