theodolite









theodolite


noun

  1. Surveying. a precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles.Compare transit(def 6).
  2. phototheodolite.

noun

  1. a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small tripod-mounted telescope that is free to move in both the horizontal and vertical planesAlso called (in the US and Canada): transit

n.1570s, of unknown origin (see OED for discussion).

  1. An optical instrument used to measure angles in surveying, meteorology, and navigation. In meteorology, it is used to track the motion of a weather balloon by measuring its elevation and azimuth angle. The earliest theodolite consisted of a small mounted telescope that rotated horizontally and vertically; modern versions are sophisticated computerized devices, capable of tracking weather balloons, airplanes, and other moving objects, at distances of up to 20,000 m (65,600 ft).
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