fiducial

American  

[fi-doo-shuhl, -dyoo-] / fɪˈdu ʃəl, -ˈdyu- /

adjective

1. accepted as a fixed basis of reference or comparison.

   a fiducial point; a fiducial temperature.

2. based on or having trust.

   fiducial dependence upon God.

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fiducial British  

/ fɪˈdjuːʃɪəl /

adjective

1. physics used as a standard of reference or measurement

   a fiducial point

2. of or based on trust or faith

3. law a less common word for fiduciary

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Other Word Forms

• fiducially adverb
• unfiducial adjective

Etymology

Origin of fiducial

1565–75; < Late Latin fīdūciālis, equivalent to fīdūci ( a ) trust (akin to fīdere to trust) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

The university's team are also responsible for a set of fiducial markers, objects which give a point of reference to guarantee the cameras are pointing in the right direction.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2015

The church commissioners argued that it was their fiducial responsibility to maximise financial value and not to concern themselves with Hill's social vision.

From The Guardian • Oct. 12, 2012

The uppermost horizontal fiducial line continues to intersect the pupils, and the vertical one continues to divide the face symmetrically.

From Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development by Galton, Francis, Sir

In barometers furnished with a fiducial point for adjusting the lower level, this correction is superfluous, and must not be applied.

From The Hurricane Guide Being An Attempt To Connect The Rotary Gale Or Revolving Storm With Atmospheric Waves. by Birt, William Radcliff

In the second part Peregrinus describes first an improved floating compass with fiducial line, a circle graduated with 90 degrees to each quadrant, and provided with movable sights for taking bearings.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various