C17: changed from C15 bitakle, from Portuguese bitácula, from Late Latin habitāculum dwelling-place, from Latin habitāre to inhabit; spelling influenced by bin
binnacle in American English
(ˈbɪnəkəl)
noun
the upright, cylindrical stand holding a ship's compass, usually located near the helm
Word origin
formerly bittacle < Port bitacola < L habitaculum, dwelling < habitare, inhabit
Examples of 'binnacle' in a sentence
binnacle
Patrick scrambled aft and snapped his safety harness around the binnacle support.
Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2002)
Carlo was standing at the wheel, his head disembodied in the light from the binnacle.