指南针

指南针 [zhǐ nán zhēn]

1. ■ compass:

中国首先发明指南针。 战国时期， 中国已经用磁石制成了指南的仪器， 古人称它为“司南”。 北宋时， 又发明了用天然磁石摩擦钢针制成的罗盘针， 即真正的指南针， 并应用于航海。 13世纪指南针传到欧洲。 The compass was invented in China. As early as in the Warring States Period （450 B.C.-221 B.C.）, a magnet was used as a device that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was named “Si Nan” by the ancient Chinese. In the Northern Song Dynasty （960 A.D.-1127 A.D.）, another device was invented with a magnetic iron needle that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was later used in navigation. The compass was introduced to Europe in the 13th century.