prismatic compass

noun

1. a hand compass equipped with sights and prisms to permit aiming the instrument at a point and at the same time reading the compass direction of the point.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prismatic compass¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The trouble was overcome by building snow-mounds and taking back-angles to them with the prismatic compass.

From Project Gutenberg

Would you mind bringing me out a prismatic compass, and a pound of Raven Mixture.

From Project Gutenberg

Round his person are slung field glasses, a prismatic compass, an empty haversack, and a gas helmet.

From Project Gutenberg

He took his bearings with the prismatic compass, and he reckoned his distance by the mean values obtained from three men pacing.

From Project Gutenberg

Leather cases and straps for theodolite, circle, and prismatic compass.

From Project Gutenberg