theodolite
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
the·od·o·lite
(thē-ŏd′l-īt′)n.
An optical instrument consisting of a small mounted telescope rotatable in horizontal and vertical planes, used to measure angles in surveying.
[Probably coined by Leonard Digges (1520-1559), English mathematician and surveyor, as the name of a device for measuring horizontal angles, perhaps from Greek theā, a viewing + a second element of unknown origin.]
the·od′o·lit′ic (-lĭt′ĭk) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
theodolite
(θɪˈɒdəˌlaɪt)n
(Surveying) 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 planes. Also called (in the US and Canada): transit
[C16: from New Latin theodolitus, of uncertain origin]
theodolitic adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
the•od•o•lite
(θiˈɒd lˌaɪt)n.
a precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles. Compare transit (def. 7).
[earlier theodelitus (1571), of undetermined orig.]
the•od`o•lit′ic (-ˈɪt ɪk) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
theodolite
a surveying instrument for measuring vertical and horizontal angles. — theodolitic, adj.
See also: Instruments, Land-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | theodolite - a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod alidad, alidade - surveying instrument consisting of the upper movable part of a theodolite including the telescope and its attachments surveying instrument, surveyor's instrument - an instrument used by surveyors tacheometer, tachymeter - a theodolite designed for rapid measurements |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005