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prime vertical

British  

noun

  1. astronomy the great circle passing through the observer's zenith and meeting the horizon due east and west

"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

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The transit instrument is also used in the prime vertical for the determination of latitudes.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various

The amplitude of a star is its distance from the prime vertical, measured on the horizon, north or south.

From Astronomical Lore in Chaucer by Grimm, Florence M.

The prime vertical circle passes through the east and west points of the horizon.

From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Warren, Henry White

If your A.M. sight was taken when the sun was on or near the prime vertical, a change in latitude at noon will make no change in longitude.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

Sun Sight In order to make this a valuable sight for longitude it should be taken when the sun is on or as near as possible to the prime vertical.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

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