(military, nautical) An instrument containing a freely suspended magnetic element which displays the direction of the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field at the point of observation.

(geometry, geomagnetism) The combination of variation and deviation which is the horizontal angle between the direction indicated by a magnetic compass and true north.

(nautical) A compass installed in the cabin so that the captain or other officer may check the course of a ship without going to the deck; often upturned and suspended from the ceiling.

plural of pair of compasses

A compass, equipped with a small prism, that allows the heading to be read while sighting

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of box the compass

simple past tense and past participle of box the compass

present participle of box the compass

plural of compass rose

A magnetized pointer (usually marked on the North end) within a compass, free to align itself with the Earth's magnetic field.