Definition

1. Noun:
   • A navigational instrument component: A compass card is the circular, rotating card or dial within a compass that is marked with degrees (0° to 360°) and cardinal points (N, E, S, W). It is mounted on a pivot and aligns itself so that the 0° mark (North) points toward magnetic north, allowing the user to read their bearing or heading.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sailor carefully read the bearing from the compass card.
  • The compass card rotated smoothly as the ship changed course.
  • Modern aircraft often use a digital display instead of a traditional magnetic compass card.

Advanced Usage

• "To read the compass card": To determine a direction or bearing by observing where the lubber's line (a fixed mark on the compass) aligns with the graduated markings on the rotating card.
  • The pilot had to read the compass card quickly in the turbulent weather.

Variants and Related Words

• Compass rose (n): A design or diagram, often found on maps, showing the orientation of the cardinal directions. While similar, a compass rose is typically a fixed illustration, whereas a compass card is the physical, moving part of a magnetic compass.
• Magnetic compass (n): The complete instrument of which the compass card is a key component.

Synonyms

• Compass dial: A less common term for the rotating face of a compass.
• Compass face: Another term referring to the marked, readable surface of the compass.

Related Phrases

• To steer by the compass card: To navigate using the primary reference of the magnetic compass.
  • In the open ocean, with no landmarks, they had to steer strictly by the compass card.

Noun

1. compass in the form of a card that rotates so that 0 degrees or North points to magnetic north