Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

fiducial

American  
[fi-doo-shuhl, -dyoo-] / fɪˈdu ʃəl, -ˈdju- /

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of fiducial

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

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.

See Examples For:

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 cistern should not, however, require adjustment to a zero or fiducial point.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Negretti, Henry

They were accordingly able to fix in advance the approximate positions of these objects with reference to ecliptical stars which served as fiducial points for their determination.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

When the mouth is adjusted to the lower fiducial line, the scale is exact.

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training