ALL meanings of cross-staff
cross-staff
C c - noun plural cross-staff an instrument for measuring the angle of elevation of heavenly bodies, consisting of a calibrated staff with another shorter staff perpendicular to and sliding on it. 1
- noun cross-staff (nautical) An early navigational instrument, consisting of a wooden rod with a sliding crosspiece, used for measuring the altitude of a star; it developed into the sextant. 0
- noun cross-staff A surveyor's instrument for measuring offsets. 0