angle of depression

American  

noun

Surveying.

1. the angle between the line from an observer or instrument to an object below either of them and a horizontal line.

---

Etymology

Origin of angle of depression

First recorded in 1780–90

Compare meaning

How does angle-of-depression compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• angle of elevation vs. angle of depression

Example Sentences

The angle of depression of an object below an observer relative to the observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Often, the angle of elevation and the angle of depression are found using similar triangles.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Similar to an angle of elevation, an angle of depression is the acute angle formed by a horizontal line and an observer’s line of sight to an object below the horizontal.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Dip, of the horizon, the angle of depression of the visible horizon at sea below the true horizontal direction, due to the height of the eye above the level of the sea.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

Elevated positions are, contrary to the common opinion, generally unfavorable, for artillery cannot fire to advantage at any considerable angle of depression.

From Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition; With Critical Notes On The Mexican And Crimean Wars. by Halleck, Henry Wager