hypsometer

American  

[hip-som-i-ter] / hɪpˈsɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. thermobarometer.

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hypsometer British  

/ hɪpˈsɒmɪtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring altitudes by determining the boiling point of water at a given altitude

2. any instrument used to calculate the heights of trees by triangulation

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hypsometer Scientific  

/ hĭp-sŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. An instrument used to determine land elevation by observing the atmospheric pressure as measured by the change in the boiling point of a liquid, usually water. Liquids boil at progressively lower temperatures as the atmospheric pressure decreases, and since atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, the temperature at which the liquid boils is an indicator of the atmospheric pressure at that location and hence of the location's altitude.

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Etymology

Origin of hypsometer

First recorded in 1860–65; hypso- + -meter

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypsometer

Tree measurements are collected using such forestry tools as a low-tech Biltmore stick, a clinometer or, most accurate of all, a laser hypsometer.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 5, 2016

Mertz boiled the hypsometer when necessary to ascertain our elevation above sea-level.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Sir Douglas Mawson

His chief contention was that, because he had taken home with him in deserting the object of the expedition a hypsometer, I could not have measured the high altitudes claimed.

From My Attainment of the Pole by Frederick A. Cook

A measurement by hypsometer gave 8,200 feet for the point lying at the foot of this, the "Devil's Glacier."

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 21 The Recent Days (1910-1914) by Charles F. (Charles Francis) Horne

Everything unessential was stripped off the sledge, including dip-circle, thermometers, hypsometer, camera, spare clothing and most of the medical and repair kits.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Sir Douglas Mawson

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