Binnacle (noun)
bin-a-kl
A built-in housing for a ship’s compass.
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.
Example sentences
“The decorative binnacle was part of the ship’s history.”
