planimeter

American  

[pluh-nim-i-ter] / pləˈnɪm ɪ tər /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring mechanically the area of plane figures.

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planimeter British  

/ plæˈnɪmɪtə /

noun

1. a mechanical integrating instrument for measuring the area of an irregular plane figure, such as the area under a curve, by moving a point attached to an arm around the perimeter of the figure

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Etymology

Origin of planimeter

First recorded in 1855–60; plani- + -meter

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

planimeter

In this project you investigate how a planimeter works, and you use Green’s theorem to show the device calculates area correctly.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

As the planimeter traces C, the pivot moves along the y-axis while the tracer arm rotates on the pivot.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Notice that the wheel cannot turn if the planimeter is moving back and forth with the tracer arm perpendicular to the roller.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Figure 6.49 Mathematical analysis of the motion of the planimeter.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

This part is therefore a simple planimeter, in which the one end of the arm moves in a straight line instead of in a circular arc.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various