Dead Reckoning

Pronunciation: /dɛd ˈrɛkənɪŋ/

Definitions of dead reckoning

noun a method of estimating a ship's position at sea by recording the course and distance sailed rather than using landmarks or celestial navigation

Example Sentences

A1 Dead reckoning is a method of navigation using estimated speed and direction.

A2 Sailors in the past relied on dead reckoning to navigate the open sea.

B1 Pilots often use dead reckoning in conjunction with other navigation methods.

B2 Dead reckoning requires constant updates and adjustments to stay accurate during a journey.

C1 Experienced hikers can use dead reckoning to navigate through challenging terrain.

C2 Dead reckoning is a valuable skill for military personnel operating in remote areas.

Examples of dead reckoning in a Sentence

formal The sailor used dead reckoning to estimate the ship's position without the aid of navigational instruments.

informal I tried to find my way back to the campsite using dead reckoning, but I got completely lost.

slang We were so lost in the woods that we had to resort to dead reckoning to find our way out.

figurative In the absence of clear instructions, she relied on dead reckoning to navigate through the complex project.

Grammatical Forms of dead reckoning

• past tense: dead reckoned
• plural: dead reckonings
• comparative: more dead reckoning
• superlative: most dead reckoning
• present tense: dead reckon
• future tense: will dead reckon
• perfect tense: have dead reckoned
• continuous tense: is dead reckoning
• singular: dead reckoning
• positive degree: dead reckoning
• infinitive: to dead reckon
• gerund: dead reckoning
• participle: dead reckoned

Origin and Evolution of dead reckoning

First Known Use: 1613 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'dead reckoning' originates from the nautical practice of estimating a ship's position based on the course and distance traveled since the last known position.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in navigation, 'dead reckoning' has evolved to also refer to any method of calculating one's current position based on previous known positions and course changes, even outside of maritime contexts.