mariner's compass
- noun
- /ˈmɛrɪnərz ˈkɒmpəs/
:
brújula náutica
- The sailor checked his mariner's compass before setting sail.
Examples
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The captain checked the mariner's compass before changing the ship's course.
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The ship's captain relied on the mariner's compass to safely navigate through the stormy seas.
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Antique dealers often search for a well-preserved mariner's compass from the 18th century.
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Without a mariner's compass, early explorers would have struggled to cross the open ocean.
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A mariner's compass is essential for navigation at sea.
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Sailors have used the mariner's compass for centuries to find their way across the oceans.
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Before the advent of modern technology, a mariner's compass was essential for successful sea voyages.
Synonyms
62
1.6
A tool that shows direction with a needle pointing north
1
3.1
A tool with a needle that points toward the Earth's magnetic north to show direction
How Accurate
Surface Forms
Morphology
mariner's + compass
The phrase is compositionally built from 'mariner's' (belonging to a sailor) and 'compass' (a magnetic navigation device), so its meaning 'a compass used by sailors' is directly derivable from the parts. Possessive + noun constructions with this literal association are cross-linguistically common, making it immediately understandable to learners who know the constituent words.
Etymology
Mariner's compass is a name made from mariner (a sailor) and compass (a round box with a needle that points north). Old sailors used this instrument on ships to find their way when no land was visible, so the name means a compass used by sailors to find 'direction'.