angular distance
Americannoun
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Trigonometry. the measure, in degrees, of the angle between two straight lines extending from a central reference point, such as the lines connecting the center of the earth's core with two points on its surface, or the lines connecting the center of a disk with two points on its perimeter.
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Physics. angular displacement.
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Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If the distance moved is less than half the angular distance between the spokes, the wheel will appear to revolve normally.
From Scientific American ● Nov. 1, 2022
But if the distance is more than this, say, three-quarters the angular distance between the spokes, then an illusion of backward motion is produced.
From Scientific American ● Nov. 1, 2022
You find that Sirius has traveled an angular distance of about 75° in 5 h.
From Textbooks ● Oct. 13, 2016
The angular distance from the seismic source to the shadow zone is 103° on either side, so the total angular distance of the shadow zone is 154°.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Magnetic ~, the angular distance of a heavenly body, when on the horizon, from the magnetic east or west point as indicated by the compass.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
