An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun; a cross-staff.

An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun or a star. Obsolete.

Originally an error of Pietro della Valle's, who gave Dauidstoff as the English name of an instrument for taking the altitude of the sun. This was…

A peculiar kind of quadrant formerly used in taking altitudes at sea, so called because the observer turned his back to the sun.

= cross-staff, n. 2 (see quot. 1867).

An instrument for measuring angles: = cross-staff, n. 2a, Jacob's staff, n. 2a. Obsolete. rare.

U.S. An instrument used in navigation to measure the angles between distant and celestial objects, consisting of a graduated staff equipped with one…