A compass, additional to the main steering compass, for monitoring a ship's course, often designed to be placed above a cabin and read from underneath.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Hampshire Advertiser.
Definition of telltale compass in US English:
telltale compass
noun
Nautical
A compass, additional to the main steering compass, for monitoring a ship's course, often designed to be placed above a cabin and read from underneath.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Hampshire Advertiser.