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binnacle

 - 3 dictionary results

bin⋅na⋅cle

1  [bin-uh-kuhl]
Use binnacle in a Sentence
–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 -cule 2

bin⋅na⋅cle

2  [bin-uh-kuhl]
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 ben 1 ) + kil channel; see kill 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To binnacle
bin·na·cle   (bĭn'ə-kəl)   
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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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