dead reckoning

• Méthode de navigation qui estime la position en calculant la direction et la distance parcourue depuis un point de départ connu, sans utiliser de repères célestes ou électroniques. S'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour désigner un processus fondé sur l'estimation plutôt que sur des données précises.

A method of navigation that calculates position by estimating direction and distance traveled from a known starting point, without using celestial or electronic references. Also used figuratively to describe a process based on estimation rather than precise data.

1. Navigation methodC1formal

   A method of estimating one's current position based on a previously determined position, course, and speed, without using celestial or electronic aids.

   Navigation à l'estime

   • The captain used dead reckoning to navigate through the fog.
   • Without GPS, sailors relied on dead reckoning for long voyages.
   • Dead reckoning can be inaccurate over long distances due to currents.

2. Figurative estimationC2informal

   A guess or estimate based on previous experience or known facts, rather than precise data.

   estimation approximative

   • By dead reckoning, I'd say we're about halfway through the project.
   • His estimate of the budget was pure dead reckoning.
   • Using dead reckoning, she guessed the time of arrival.