compass card

noun

: the circular card attached to the needles of a mariner's compass on which are marked the 360° of the circle and 32 equidistant points

Illustration of compass card

Illustration of compass card

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compass card was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near compass card

Cite this Entry

“Compass card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compass%20card. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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