magnetic meridian

American  

noun

1. a line on the earth's surface, passing in the direction of the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field.

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magnetic meridian British  

noun

1. a continuous imaginary line around the surface of the earth passing through both magnetic poles

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magnetic meridian Scientific  

1. An imaginary reference line passing through both geomagnetic poles of the Earth, used in models and maps of the Earth's magnetic field.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

magnetic meridian

It is well known that the needle of the compass, when free to move horizontally, oscillates upon its pivot and settles in a direction termed the magnetic meridian.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 3 "Destructors" to "Diameter" by Various

The points where the magnetic intensity is at a minimum, on the magnetic meridian, are the warmest points of that meridian, and those where it is most intense, the coldest.

From The Philosophy of the Weather And a Guide to Its Changes by Thomas Belden Butler

Before they were concave to the equator, and now they are convex; the magnetic meridian is therefore deflected the contrary way to what it was in the day time, by the same principle of reaction.

From Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms Containing the True Law of Lunar Influence by Thomas Bassnett

Now, this is precisely the direction of the deviation of the magnetic meridian, the needle therefore only follows the meridian, or still continues to point to the temporary magnetic pole.

From Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms Containing the True Law of Lunar Influence by Thomas Bassnett

A bent wire, carrying a small magnetic needle, is balanced on the steel point, so that the magnet, with the fine wire, arranges itself horizontally in the direction of the magnetic meridian.

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