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An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; – so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.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

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