binnacle noun. ['bɪnǝk(ǝ)l] Orig. bittacle & similar forms. L15.
[Spanish bitácula, bitácora or Portuguese bitacola, corresp. to Provençal abitacle, Italian abitacolo, French habitacle, from Latin habitaculum HABITACLE.]
A receptacle for a ship's compass, usu. on the navigation bridge or, in small sailing vessels, a box on the deck near the helm.

► Forms with [n] recorded from M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲