navigation etymology

Etymology

The word "navigation" comes from the Latin word "navigare," which means "to sail" or "to travel by water." It is derived from the Latin word "navis," which means "ship."

Meaning

Navigation is the process of determining the position of a craft (such as a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft) and directing its movement. It involves using a variety of techniques, including:

  • Dead reckoning: Estimating the position of a craft based on its starting point and the distance and direction it has traveled.
  • Celestial navigation: Determining the position of a craft by measuring the angles between celestial bodies and the horizon.
  • GPS navigation: Determining the position of a craft using satellite signals.

Origin

The concept of navigation dates back to ancient times. The first navigators were likely sailors who used the stars and the sun to guide their ships. Over time, navigation techniques became more sophisticated, and new technologies were developed, such as the compass and the sextant.

In the modern era, navigation has become increasingly important for transportation, exploration, and warfare. Satellites and computers have made navigation more accurate and efficient than ever before.

navigation relate terms

  • circumnavigate

    Etymology Latin circum around navigare to sail Italian circumnavigare Mea

  • circum

    Etymology The word circum comes from the Latin word circum which means around or

  • navigation

    Etymology The word navigation comes from the Latin word navigare which means to sai

  • navigable

    Etymology From Middle English navigable from Old French navigable from Latin navigabi

  • navigation

    Etymology The word navigation comes from the Latin word navigare which means to sai

  • navigate

    Etymology The word navigate originates from the Latin word navigare which means to

  • navigator

    Etymology The word navigator comes from the Latin word navigator which means seama

  • sailing

    Etymology The word sailing derives from the Old Norse word segla meaning to set sa

  • Polaris

    Etymology Latin Polaris polar star Greek πόλος pólos pivot axis pole

  • landfall

    Etymology Land From Middle English land from Old English land meaning earth gr

  • lodestar

    Etymology of Lodestar The word lodestar is a compound of two Old English words lā

  • sextant

    Etymology Derived from Medieval Latin sextans sixth part ultimately from Latin sext

  • direction

    Etymology The word direction comes from the Latin word directio which means a strai

  • transport

    Etymology of Transport The word transport originates from the Latin word transporta

  • work

    Etymology The word work comes from the Old English word weorc which means to do t