binnacle
/ˈbɪnək(ə)l
/noun
A built-in housing for a ship’s compass.Those that are averse - in a figurative sense - to inspecting hulls and flicking compass binnacles can steam straight into the action via the Patrols option....
- Twin anti-aircraft gun barrels are coated with red sponge, a compass binnacle lies broken and beheaded and another has rolled away among other debris.
- On the brass binnacle containing the compass were engraved the words, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’.
Origin
Late 15th century (as bittacle): from Spanish bitácula, bitácora or Portuguese bitacola, from Latin habitaculum 'dwelling place', from habitare 'inhabit'. The change to binnacle occurred in the mid 18th century.