Naval and Nautical Affairs

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology Further reading

gimbals

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea | 2006 | Copyright

gimbals, two concentric metal rings which form the mounting and suspension for the compasses and chronometers on board ship. The rings are mounted on knife edges, the bearings of one being fixed fore and aft in the ship's line and the other athwartships, thus allowing the compass or chronometer to remain level irrespective of the rolling or pitching of the ship. Gimbals are also used to mount lamps, cooking stoves, etc. in small vessels. The earliest description of a gimbal mounting dates from the beginning of the 17th century.

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gimbals

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

gimbals (pl.) †joints, links XVI; (naut.) self-adjusting bearings to keep articles horizontal XVIII. var. of gimmal (XVI) joints, etc., alt. of gemel (XIV) pl. twins, etc. — OF. gemel (mod. jumeau) :- L. gemellus, dim. of geminus twin.

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T. F. HOAD. "gimbals." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "gimbals." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gimbals.html

T. F. HOAD. "gimbals." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gimbals.html

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