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

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected as follows: Page 127: “in the magnetic meridian, then”—had “meridan.”

From The Earliest Electromagnetic Instruments by Chipman, Robert A.

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 vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of such a needle is known as the magnetic meridian.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various

This arises from the great angle made by the magnetic meridian at this place, with the terrestrial meridian—the variation being by Barlow’s tables, 30° to the westward.

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

Another class originate at the N. W., and extend gradually south easterly on the magnetic meridian.

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