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Thesaurus: backstaff

An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.

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Definitions

  1. n. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
  2. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
  3. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of theheavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; --so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.