Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
take a bearing
English answer:
set off in a certain direction [in this specific context only!]
Added to glossary by
Tony M
Dec 2, 2012 20:42
11 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
take a bearing
Non-PRO
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
R. Kipling
The Djinn rolled himself up in his dust-cloak, and took a bearing across the desert, and found the Camel most 'scruciatingly idle, looking at his own reflection in a pool of water.
I guess the Djinn just moved to the other side of the desert; but what does 'take a bearing' mean exactly?
Thanks in advance.
I guess the Djinn just moved to the other side of the desert; but what does 'take a bearing' mean exactly?
Thanks in advance.
Responses
| 3 +5 | set off in a certain direction |
Tony M
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Change log
Dec 7, 2012 11:18: Tony M Created KOG entry
Responses
+5
27 mins
Selected
set off in a certain direction
Usually, in a nautical sense, it means to measure the bearing or angle of something (with respect to North); by extension, we get 'to set a course in a aprticualr direction'.
Here, in this anything-but-nautical context, it seems the Djinn actually headed off across the desert, already seemingly knowing which way he wanted to go.
Here, in this anything-but-nautical context, it seems the Djinn actually headed off across the desert, already seemingly knowing which way he wanted to go.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
katsy
: as you say, the meaning here does not appear to correspond exactly to the definition of 'take a bearing' but I think it is this - he went to the other side of the desert.
35 mins
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Thanks, Katsy!
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| agree |
Jenni Lukac (X)
: Tony, you are completely right. I didn't look at this closely enough and somehow registered "his bearings."
39 mins
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Thanks, Jenni!
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| agree |
Charles Davis
: Or maybe it means that he calculated which way it was and then set off in that direction, with the latter understood... but anyway, you're clearly right.
1 hr
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Thanks, Charles!
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| agree |
Terry Richards
: Yes, the important point is that the Djinn knew where he was going. The nautical reference is not out of place as an ocean metaphor is often used for deserts and camels are "ships of the desert".
12 hrs
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Thanks, Terry! Yes "knew where he was going", purposeful... exactly! And well spoted for the 'ocean' metaphor, to which RK would certainly have been sensitive, I feel sure.
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| agree |
British Diana
: As in the ocean there are no signposts in the desert. The Djinn seems to know instinctively which direction to take
16 hrs
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Thanks, Diana!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks a lot, Tony!"
Discussion
him. The white cloud took the Djinn away with a loud Bang.
The Djinn found Camel next to a pool looking at his own reflection in the water.