Disputatio:Pyxis nautica

Um... is there any authority for this form of the word? The OED mentions a medieval Latin compassus, but this is of the masculine gender and usually refers to a "drafting compass" (classical Latin circinus) rather than a "nautical compass."

When I have seen discussions of nautical compasses in Latin, the usual locution I've seen has been pyxis nautica. There is even a southern hemisphere constellation by this name. David Morgan cites the following additional expressions: magnetica acus nautica, capsula acûs magneticae, and most relevantly: compassus nauticus

Traupvir likes acus, too.--Ioscius ^(disp) 15:19, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In any case, I propose we move this to pyxis nauticus. Any counterarguments? --Iustinus 18:26 iul 19, 2005 (UTC)

Whereas in ancient times compasses were used by sailors only, nowadays we used them on land about as often. In fact I am unable to find a commons pick of a nautical compass. So I wonder if a more general name is needed to make it more general and so that this pic would better fit the article. How about like Pyxis magnetica sive pyxis nautica est....?--Rafaelgarcia 22:34, 13 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

For my part, I have always seen acus. Acus magnetica is my vote.--Ioscius ^(disp) 15:19, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The difference can be large-->Differentia potest esse magnam?[fontem recensere]

I am not sure of the grammar rules here. Should it be Differentia potest esse magna?--Rafaelgarcia 14:24, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Ita vero: 'magna' sine -m. --Fabullus 14:27, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks--Rafaelgarcia 15:02, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

But instead of differentia esse magna (which sounds rather English), the Romans favored an idiom in which the differentiating is in the verb. My dictionary offers this example: 'There is no great difference between them and the Peripatetics' = Non multum a Peripateticis dissident. In other words, conceptually, instead of great difference, we want greatly differ. IacobusAmor 15:29, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]

So Multum directio vera a magnetica discrepat ... yes sounds a lot better.--Rafaelgarcia 16:02, 16 Septembris 2007 (UTC)[reply]