Binnacle - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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bin·na·cle1

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–noun Nautical.

a stand or enclosure of wood or nonmagnetic metal for supporting and housing a compass.

[Origin: 1615–25; bin + (bitt)acle (late ME bitakille) < Pg bitacola < L habitāculum lodge, equiv. to habitā- (see inhabit) + -culum -cule²

]

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Binnacle

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bin·na·cle2

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New York State Older Use.

a side branch of a river; millrace.

[Origin: 1855–60, Americanism; prob. folk-etymological sp. of New York D *binnekil, equiv. to D binne(n) inner, interior (see ben¹) + kil channel; see kill²

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

bin·na·cle Audio Help (bĭn'ə-kəl) Pronunciation Key
n. A case that supports and protects a ship's compass, located near the helm.

[Alteration of Middle English bitakille, from Old Spanish bitácula or from Old Portuguese bitácola, both from Latin habitāculum, habitation, from habitāre, to inhabit; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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