bearings
Sense of position
Bearings are the parts of a machine that allow components to move smoothly against each other, reducing friction—ball bearings, roller bearings.
More commonly, bearings means one's sense of position and direction: I lost my bearings in the fog, Let me get my bearings.
To find or lose your bearings is to know or not know where you are or how to proceed.
Position relative to surroundings
- positionLocation or stance
- locationPosition in space
- surroundingsArea around something
- landmarkNotable point of reference
reference point · situation · whereabouts · locale · placement · lay of the land · coordinates · direction
Spherical plaything or gala
- rollerRotating cylindrical tool
- thrustForceful forward motion
- radialEmanating from center
- axialAlong a rotation line
friction · lubrication · raceway · cage · sleeve · flange · seal · shield
Device showing cardinal directions
- headingDirectional course traveled
- coursePlanned path forward
- azimuthHorizontal directional angle
- waypointNavigation reference location
sextant · latitude · longitude · vector · trajectory · dead reckoning · triangulation · true north
Graceful, unshakable calm
- self-possessionCalm control of oneself
- equilibriumState of balance
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- steadinessState of being constant
composure · self-assurance · confidence · demeanor · manner · deportment · countenance · aplomb
orientation
Position relative to surroundings
- positionLocation or stance
- locationPosition in space
- surroundingsArea around something
landmark · reference point · situation · whereabouts · locale · placement · lay of the land · coordinates · direction · alignment
ball
Spherical plaything or gala
axial · friction · lubrication · raceway · cage · sleeve · flange · seal · shield · bushing
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
waypoint · sextant · latitude · longitude · vector · trajectory · dead reckoning · triangulation · true north · magnetic
poise
Graceful, unshakable calm
- self-possessionCalm control of oneself
- equilibriumState of balance
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
steadiness · composure · self-assurance · confidence · demeanor · manner · deportment · countenance · aplomb · collectedness
- machineryengine, machinery, industrial machinery, motors, engines
- auto partsengine, brakes, tires, wheels, steering wheel
- location termsGPS, coordinates, latitude, longitude, mapping
- Mechanical Engineeringmechanical engineer, design engineer, valves, motors, aerospace engineer
- helicopter partsrotor, tail rotor, rotor blade, blades, rotor blades
- mechanismsgear, gearbox, gear train, cog, pulleys
bearingsdisorientation
Loss of spatial awareness
confusion · lostness · lost · directionlessness · bewilderment
bearingsdestination
Intended arrival point
endpoint · terminus · goal · target · final position
bearingsfriction
Resistance between touching surfaces
brakes · locks · clamps · resistance · impediment
- bearing fruitGenerating successful outcomes
- bearing outProviding supporting evidence
- bearing downApplying forceful pressure
- ball bearingsSpherical components reducing friction
- bearing down onApproaching with intensity
- bearing upWithstanding hardship adequately