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 Collaborative International Dictionary of English
binnacle — wooden box for a ship s compass, c.1750, corruption of bittacle (1620s), which is probably from Sp. bitacula or Port. bitacola, both from L. habitaculum little dwelling place, from habitare to inhabit (see HABIT (Cf. habit)) … Etymology dictionary
binnacle — ► NOUN ▪ a built in housing for a ship s compass. ORIGIN from Spanish bitácula, bitácora or Portuguese bitacola, from Latin habitaculum dwelling place … English terms dictionary
binnacle — [bin′ə kəl] n. [formerly bittacle < Port bitacola < L habitaculum, dwelling < habitare,INHABIT] the upright, cylindrical stand holding a ship s compass, usually located near the helm … English World dictionary
Binnacle — A binnacle is a case or box on the deck of a ship, generally mounted in front of the helmsman,in which navigational instruments are placed for easy and quick reference as well as to protect the delicate instruments.A binnacle may be subdivided… … Wikipedia
binnacle — [15] Binnacle ‘ship’s compass housing’ has a curious history: etymologically it means ‘place where something lives’, and it is related to habitation and inhabit. Forms with nn do not begin to appear before the 18th century. Until then the word… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
binnacle — n. fixed case or stand for ship s compass. ♦ binnacle list, list of sick men on man of war … Dictionary of difficult words
binnacle list — noun : a sick list posted at or near the binnacle for the use of the officer of the deck … Useful english dictionary
binnacle — noun Etymology: alteration of Middle English bitakle, from Old Portuguese or Old Spanish; Old Portuguese bitácola & Old Spanish bitácula, from Latin habitaculum dwelling place, from habitare to inhabit more at habitation Date: 1762 a housing for… … New Collegiate Dictionary
binnacle — binnacle1 /bin euh keuhl/, n. Naut. a stand or enclosure of wood or nonmagnetic metal for supporting and housing a compass. [1615 25; BIN + (bitt)acle (late ME bitakille) < Pg bitacola < L habitaculum lodge, equiv. to habita (see INHABIT) + culum … Universalium
