Definitions for backstaff
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Wiktionary
backstaff(Noun)
An early navigational instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun and hence calculating latitude
Webster Dictionary
Backstaff(noun)
an instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed
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"backstaff." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/backstaff>.