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Webster 1913 Edition


Cross-staff

Cross′-staffˊ

(-st?fˊ)
,
Noun.
1.
An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of celestial bodies.
2.
A surveyor’s instrument for measuring offsets.

Webster 1828 Edition


Cross-staff

CROSS-STAFF

,
Noun.
An instrument to take the altitude of the sun or stars.