chip log: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist/Historical)Nautical, historical, literary.
Quick answer
What does “chip log” mean?
A historical nautical instrument for measuring a ship's speed through water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical nautical instrument for measuring a ship's speed through water.
Metaphorically, the act of recording progress or events (like a ship's log) in a systematic, regular way, often with a sense of tradition or rudimentary method.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally archaic in both variants.
Connotations
Evokes age of sail, traditional seamanship, historical method.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern speech outside historical or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chip log” in a Sentence
[Subject: crew/sailor] + [Verb: cast/heave/use] + [Object: the chip log] + [Purpose/Result: to measure speed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chip log” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The first mate instructed the midshipman to fetch the chip log from the locker.
- The museum's exhibit featured a beautifully preserved 18th-century chip log.
American English
- The captain preferred the old chip log over the newfangled mechanical one.
- Casting the chip log was part of the daily routine on the tall ship.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical texts, maritime history, and literature on navigation.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used precisely in historical nautical archaeology or replica ship operations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chip log”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chip log”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chip log”
- Using 'chip log' to refer to a modern data log. Confusing it with 'chip' as in microchip.
- Incorrect plural: 'chip logs' (rarely pluralised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but they are related. The chip log is the physical measuring device. The 'log book' (now just 'log') is the record where the speed measurements from the chip log were written down.
The 'chip' refers to the wooden quadrant or board (originally a chip of wood) that was thrown overboard to act as a stationary point in the water for the measurement.
Practically, no. It has been entirely replaced by electronic speed logs (electromagnetic or Doppler) and GPS. It is only used on historical ship replicas or for educational demonstrations.
The unit 'knot' (one nautical mile per hour) comes directly from its use. The log-line had knots tied at set intervals. Sailors would count how many knots passed through their hands in a measured time (using a sandglass) to determine speed.
A historical nautical instrument for measuring a ship's speed through water.
Chip log is usually nautical, historical, literary. in register.
Chip log: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪp ˌlɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪp ˌlɔːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sounding the lead and casting the chip log (referring to traditional, hands-on navigation).”
- “By chip log and lead line (meaning using traditional, reliable methods).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a wood 'chip' tied to a rope being thrown overboard to create a ship's 'log' book entry.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRADITIONAL METHODS ARE MANUAL TOOLS; RECORD-KEEPING IS NAVIGATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a chip log?