cross-staff

cross-staff
/kraws"staf', -stahf', kros"-/, n., pl. cross-staffs, cross-staves. Astron.
an instrument for measuring the angle of elevation of heavenly bodies, consisting of a calibrated staff with another shorter staff perpendicular to and sliding on it. Also called forestaff, Jacob's staff.
[1400-50, for an earlier sense; late ME]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Cross-staff — ( st?f ), n. 1. An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of celestial bodies. [1913 Webster] 2. A surveyor s instrument for measuring offsets. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cross-staff — (engl.), Jakobsstab; s. Tafel »Astronomische Instrumente«, S. I …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • cross-staff — Forestaff Fore staff , n. (Naut.) An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; called also {cross staff}. Brande & C. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cross-staff — ekeris statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Geodezinis įtaisas pastovaus kampo kryptims vietovėje žymėti. atitikmenys: angl. cross staff; optical square; right angle mirror vok. Rechtwinkelinstrument, n; Winkelinstrument,… …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • cross-staff — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun 1. a. : a processional staff usually with a cross or crucifix borne before an archbishop in his own province b. : crosier 2. : an instrument once used at sea for taking the altitudes of celestial bodies, especially of the sun 3 …   Useful english dictionary

  • cross-staff — noun Date: 1582 an instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitude of a celestial body …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cross-staff — noun An early navigational instrument, consisting of a wooden rod with a sliding crosspiece, used for measuring the altitude of a star; it developed into the sextant …   Wiktionary

  • cross-staff — /ˈkrɒs staf/ (say kros stahf) noun a surveyor s instrument, having two sights at right angles to each other and used for setting out right angles in the field …  

  • cross-staff —   n. ancient nautical instrument for taking altitudes …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • Cross Technological Enterprises — Publication information Publisher Marvel Comics First appearance Marvel Premiere #47 (April 1979) Created by …   Wikipedia

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