† fore-staffn.
Nautical. Obsolete.
= cross-staff n. 2 (see quot. 1867).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > astronomical instruments > measuring altitude > [noun] > cross-staff
Jacob's staff1559
cross-staff1594
fore-staff1669
radius1745
jackstaff1886
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > cross-staff
Jacob's staff1559
cross-staff1594
David's staff1623
back-staff1627
fore-staff1669
radiometer1728
jackstaff1886
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. 82 Thus I have shewed you how to take an Observation by the Fore-Staff.
1719 Philos. Trans. 1717–19 (Royal Soc.) 30 993 The Moon was not too high to be well observed with a Forestaff.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Arbalette, a cross-staff or fore-staff.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Fore-staff, an instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies..takes its name hence, that the observer in using it turns his face towards the object, in contradistinction to the back-staff.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
<
n.1669- pussy wants the corner
- pussy willow
- pussy's-toes
- pussy-baudrons
- pussy-bow
- pussy-footed
- pussy-footedness
- pussy-gut
- pussy-gutted
- pussy-hoisting
- pussy-talk
- pussy-whip
- pussy-whipped
- pussybaudrons
- pussybow
- pussycat
- pussycat bow
- pussycat-like
- pussycatlike
- pussycats
- pussyclaat
- pussyfoot
- pussyfoot cocktail
- pussyfooted
- pussyfootedness