geodesy

[ jee-od-uh-see ]

/ dʒiˈɒd ə si /

noun

the branch of applied mathematics that deals with the measurement of the shape and area of large tracts of country, the exact position of geographical points, and the curvature, shape, and dimensions of the earth.

Nearby words

geode, geodemographics, geodesic, geodesic dome, geodesic line, geodesy, geodetic, geodetic latitude, geodetic longitude, geodetic survey, geodetic surveying

Also ge·o·det·ics

[jee-uh-det-iks] /ˌdʒi əˈdɛt ɪks/.

Origin of geodesy

1560–70; < French géodésie < Greek geōdaisía, equivalent to geō- geo- + daí(ein) to divide + -sia, variant of -ia -ia (generalized from stems ending in t)

Related forms

ge·od·e·sist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for geodesy

So we shall put the question otherwise; can geodesy aid us the better to know nature?
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar
The mean equatorial radius of the earth, as given in Clark's Geodesy, is 3963.3 English miles.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 648, June 2, 1888.|Various
Geodesy, je-od′e-si, n. a science whose object is to measure the earth and its parts on a large scale.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various
Geodesy of one distance is when the measurer for the finding of the desired dimension doth not change his place of standing.
The Way To Geometry|Peter Ramus

And this is the geodesy or manner of measuring of an Icosaedrum.
The Way To Geometry|Peter Ramus

British Dictionary definitions for geodesy

geodesy

geodetics (ˌdʒiːəʊˈdɛtɪks)

/ (dʒɪˈɒdɪsɪ) /

noun

the branch of science concerned with determining the exact position of geographical points and the shape and size of the earth

Derived Forms

geodesist, noun

Word Origin for geodesy

C16: from French géodésie, from Greek geōdaisia, from geo- + daiein to divide

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

Science definitions for geodesy

geodesy

[ jē-ŏd′ĭ-sē ]

The scientific study of the size and shape of the Earth, its field of gravity, and such varying phenomena as the motion of the magnetic poles and the tides.

Related forms

geodetic adjective