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rhumb line

/ˈrʌm laɪn/

Meanings
noun
A line that cuts all meridians at the same angle, the path of a vessel that maintains a constant compass direction.

Examples :

"The ship sailed along a rhumb line, maintaining a steady southeastern heading to reach its destination. "
nautical sailing geography direction

Related Words

Illustration sailed

sailed verb

/seɪld/

To be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body of water by steam or other power.

"The small boat sailed across the lake, pushed by the strong wind. "

Illustration vessel

vessel noun

/ˈvɛs.l̩/

Any craft designed for transportation on water, such as a ship or boat.

"The fishing vessel sailed out to the lake early in the morning. "

Illustration destination

destination noun

/dɛstɪˈneɪʃən/

The act of destining or appointing.

"The teacher's destination for the class was to master fractions by the end of the term. "

Illustration constant

constant noun

/ˈkɒnstənt/ /ˈkɑnstənt/

That which is permanent or invariable.

"The constant noise from the construction site made it hard to concentrate on my homework. "

Illustration steady

steady noun

/ˈstɛdi/

A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.

"The carpenter used a steady to hold the wood while he hammered the nail. "

Illustration maintaining

maintaining verb

/meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/

To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.

"The teacher is maintaining discipline in the classroom by reminding students of the rules. "

Illustration meridians

meridians noun

/məˈrɪdiənz/ /məˈrɪdʒənz/

The south.

"The compass needle pointed south, towards the meridians of our school. "

Illustration direction

direction noun

/d(a)ɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/

A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston).

"Keep going in the same direction."

Illustration maintains

maintains verb

/meɪnˈteɪnz/ /mənˈteɪnz/

To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.

"The mechanic maintains the engine while I fetch him the tools he needs. "

Illustration compass

compass noun

/ˈkʌm.pəs/

A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).

"The hiker used his compass to find north and continue on the trail. "

Illustration heading

heading verb

[ˈhɛɾ.ɪŋ]

To be in command of. (See also head up.)

"Who heads the board of trustees?"

Illustration southeastern

southeastern

/ˌsaʊθˌiːstərn/ /ˌsʌθˌiːstərn/

Of or pertaining to the southeast.

""Florida is a southeastern state in the United States." "