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theodolite
theodolite , calibrated optical instrument used to determine relative position in surveying , navigation, and meteorology. It is similar in construction to a surveyor's transit, consisting of a telescope fitted with a spirit level and mounted on a tripod so that it is free to rotate about its vertical and horizontal axes. (Sometimes two or more telescopes of different magnifications are used.) Graduated scales are used to measure the amount of rotation about the axes. Measurements of the altitude and azimuth of a weather balloon at precise time intervals are used to compute the estimated wind velocity of the atmosphere. |
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"theodolite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "theodolite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-theodoli.html "theodolite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-theodoli.html |
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theodolite
the·od·o·lite / [unvoicedth]ēˈädəˌlīt/ • n. a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. DERIVATIVES: the·od·o·lit·ic / -ˌädəˈlitik/ adj. |
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"theodolite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "theodolite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-theodolite.html "theodolite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-theodolite.html |
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theodolite
theodolite portable surveying instrument for measuring (orig. horizontal) angles. XVII. Earlier (XVI) in modL. form theodelitus; of unkn. orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "theodolite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "theodolite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-theodolite.html T. F. HOAD. "theodolite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-theodolite.html |
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