Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Backstaff

Back′staffˊ

,
Noun.
An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; – so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
A
backstairs
influence.
Burke.
Female caprice and
backstair
influence.
Trevelyan.

Webster 1828 Edition


Backstaff

BACK'STAFF

,
Noun.
[back and staff, so called from its being used with the observer's back toward the sun.]
A quadrant; an instrument for taking the sun's altitude at sea; called also, from its inventor, Davis's quadrant.

Definition 2024


backstaff

backstaff

English

Noun

backstaff (plural backstaffs)

  1. (nautical) An early navigational instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun and hence calculating latitude