compass point
Angleexact by definition
A compass point is exactly 1/32 of a full turn, 11.25 degrees. The traditional mariner's compass card is divided into 32 named points, from north through north by east, north-northeast and so on, and older logbooks record courses and wind directions in them rather than in degrees.
Watch out: Points were further subdivided into halves and quarters, giving 128 divisions and course notations like "NE by N ½ N". Modern practice uses degrees, and a course in points from an old log needs converting before it can be plotted on a modern chart.
| 1 point | 11.25 ° |
Reciting all 32 points in order, clockwise from north, was called "boxing the compass" and was a standard test of a young seaman. The system persists in wind direction reporting, where forecasts still speak of a "northwesterly" rather than a bearing.