TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

BACK-STAFF [1 record]

Record 1 1986-03-05

English

Subject field(s)
  • Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
DEF

A navigational instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun, introduced during the 16th century.

OBS

[This instrument] gained its name because, unlike the cross-staff which it replaced, the user had the sun behind him when taking an observation.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
DEF

Instrument ancien de mesure des angles, en particulier des hauteurs, constitué d'une lunette de visée mobile accolée à un grand secteur de 45° très finement divisé, sur lequel on lisait les rotations de la lunette.

Spanish

Save record 1

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: