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compass rose

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  1. [symbology] A diagram of compass points drawn on a map or chart, subdivided clockwise from 0 to 360 degrees with 0 indicating true north. On older maps and charts, a compass rose was a decorated diagram of cardinal points divided into 16 or 32 points.

  2. [map design, navigation] A circular direction indicator printed in one or more places on charts. The outer circle of the compass rose is oriented to true north and is subdivided clockwise from 0 to 360 degrees with 0 indicating true north, whereas the inner ring is oriented to magnetic north.

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