outkeeper

plural outkeepers

1. An attachment to a surveyor's compass for keeping tally in chaining.

   Goldsmith Chandlee placed an outkeeper on his compasses like none other. The outkeeper that Goldsmith Chandlee invented and developed had no equal.

   2022, Walt H. Sirene, American Backcountry Tall Clock, page 258

   3 more examples

   The surveyor kept a record of the number of “outs” sometimes using a counting device called an outkeeper, which was placed on the face of the instrument .

   2000, John Barry Love, The Colonial Surveyor in Pennsylvania, page 35

   This particular instrument is unusual because of the additional dial, and the fact that the outkeeper appears at the east point instead of at the south end of the dial plate.

   2001, Silvio A. Bedini, With Compass and Chain, page 374

   Some Irish and American instruments were equipped with an “outkeeper,” a dial that helped the surveyor keep track of the number of times (“outs”) a chain had been run.

   2020, Matthew H. Edney, Mary Sponberg Pedley, The History of Cartography, page 678

2. One who is responsible for maintaining a remote area.

   This was a single dwelling, the home of one of the outkeepers.

   1910, Horatio Alger (Jr.), Harry Vane: Or, In a New World - Volume 1910, page 70

   2 more examples

   My husband David is the 'outkeeper' dealing with all the grounds, gardens, shopping and housekeeping and building related issues," says Shirley.

   2010, Inns - Volume 14, page 24

   When she got to the outkeeper's house, however, Trevelton wasn't there, even though she'd been certain he would be.

   2018, R. T. W. Lipkin, Now Playing on Outworld 5730