What does theodolite mean?
Definitions for theodolite
θiˈɒd lˌaɪttheodo·lite
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word theodolite.
Princeton's WordNet
theodolite, transitnoun
a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod
Wiktionary
theodolitenoun
A surveying instrument, consisting of a small mounted telescope, used to measure horizontal and vertical angles.
Etymology: New Latin theodolitus, of unknown origin
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Theodolitenoun
A mathematical instrument for taking heights and distances.
Wikipedia
Theodolite
A theodolite () is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but it is also used extensively for building and infrastructure construction, and some specialized applications such as meteorology and rocket launching.It consists of a moveable telescope mounted so it can rotate around horizontal and vertical axes and provide angular readouts. These indicate the orientation of the telescope, and are used to relate the first point sighted through the telescope to subsequent sightings of other points from the same theodolite position. These angles can be measured with accuracies down to microradians or seconds of arc. From these readings a plan can be drawn, or objects can be positioned in accordance with an existing plan. The modern theodolite has evolved into what is known as a total station where angles and distances are measured electronically, and are read directly to computer memory. In a transit theodolite, the telescope is short enough to rotate about the trunnion axis, turning the telescope through the vertical plane through the zenith; for non-transit instruments vertical rotation is restricted to a limited arc. The optical level is sometimes mistaken for a theodolite, but it does not measure vertical angles, and is used only for leveling on a horizontal plane (though often combined with medium accuracy horizontal range and direction measurements).
ChatGPT
theodolite
A theodolite is a precision instrument used for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. It is commonly used in surveying and engineering to take accurate measurements of the surrounding environment and construct detailed maps or plans. The device consists of a telescope mounted on a swivel so it can be moved both vertically and horizontally, with an accurate measurement scale to note down the precise angles. Modern versions may be digital and have additional functions to aid in data collecting and processing.
Webster Dictionary
Theodolitenoun
an instrument used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. It is variously constructed
Wikidata
Theodolite
A theodolite is a precision instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Theodolites are used mainly for surveying applications, and have been adapted for specialized purposes in fields like metrology and rocket launch technology. A modern theodolite consists of a movable telescope mounted within two perpendicular axes—the horizontal or trunnion axis, and the vertical axis. When the telescope is pointed at a target object, the angle of each of these axes can be measured with great precision, typically to seconds of arc. Theodolites, such as the Brunton Pocket Transit commonly employed for field measurements by geologists and archaeologists, have been in continuous use since 1894. Theodolites may be either transit or non-transit. Transit theodolites are those in which the telescope can rotate in a complete circle in the vertical plane, whereas the rotation in the same plane is restricted to a semi-circle for non-transit theodolites. Some types of transit theodolites do not allow the measurement of vertical angles. The builder's level is sometimes mistaken for a transit theodolite, but it measures neither horizontal nor vertical angles. It uses a spirit level to set a telescope level to define a line of sight along a level plane.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Theodolite
thē-od′ō-līt, n. an instrument used in land-surveying for the measurement of angles horizontal and vertical, being neither more nor less than an altitude and azimuth instrument, proportioned and constructed so as to be conveniently portable.—adj. Theodolit′ic. [Ety. unknown; Gr. theasthai, to see + hodos, way + litos, smooth; theasthai + dolichos, long, &c.]
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
theodolite
The theodolite, as used in land-surveying, levelling, &c., is well known. But the great theodolite, with its vertical circle and telescope adapted to the observation of the heavenly bodies, as used by nautical astronomers, commonly called an alt-azimuth instrument, is almost an observatory per se. By this alone, within three hours on each side of noon, the longitude, latitude, and magnetic variation of a position may be determined.
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
theodolite
An instrument, variously constructed, used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. The theodolite consists principally of a telescope, with cross-wires in its focus, mounted so as to turn both on vertical and horizontal axes, the former carrying a horizontal vernier-plate over a graduated plate or circle for aximuthal angles, and the latter a vertical, graduated arc or semicircle for altitudes,—the whole furnished with leveling-screws and levels for adjusting to the horizon, and mounted on a tripod. It is usually so constructed that a horizontal angle may be repeated indefinitely around the limb, and thus a large number of repetitions added mechanically, to secure greater accuracy in the resulting mean.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of theodolite in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of theodolite in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
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"theodolite." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/theodolite>.
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