Navigational instrument (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: COMPASS (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Navigational instrument" with 7 letters is "COMPASS".Compass is a navigational instrument used to determine direction, typically consisting of a magnetic needle that points to the Earth's magnetic north. It is essential for navigation, guiding travelers, sailors, and explorers to find their way across unfamiliar terrain or waters.
Why "Compass" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning "navigational instrument." The answer, COMPASS, fits perfectly:
- Navigational instrument: Compass is the classic tool used to determine direction, relying on Earth's magnetic field—exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With seven letters, compass fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word refers to the small, portable device—often in a case with a magnetic needle—that points north and guides travelers, sailors, hikers, and explorers.
Compass is a foundational term in navigation and geography:
Origin and usage:
- From Latin compassare ("to pace out, measure"), the navigational sense developed in medieval Europe as mariners sought tools to plot courses at sea.
- Used worldwide, from ancient Chinese and Arab mariners to modern-day travelers and digital devices.
Types and contexts:
- Magnetic compass: Standard for basic direction-finding.
- Gyrocompass: Utilizes rotation and is used in ships and aircraft.
- Digital compass: Built into smartphones and GPS units.
Also used mathematically for drawing circles and arcs, but the crossword clue’s focus is navigation.
Examples:
- “She checked the compass to find east.”
- “Every ship’s captain trusts the compass.”
- “A compass helps hikers stay on course.”
In quick crosswords like “Navigational instrument (7),” clues for essential travel tools look for universally recognized devices:
Definition: "Navigational instrument" is a clear reference to compass, since most other navigational devices are longer words (e.g., sextant, astrolabe).
Clue type: Functional definition; straightforward.
Solving approach:
- Identify instruments with seven letters crucial to navigation—compass is unmatched in familiarity and frequency.
Crossword pattern: Classic, everyday objects (map, compass, sextant, globe) appear frequently, needing little context for identification.
