theodolite

American  

[thee-od-l-ahyt] / θiˈɒd lˌaɪt /

noun

1. Surveying. a precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles.

2. phototheodolite.

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theodolite British  

/ θɪˈɒdəˌlaɪt, θɪˌɒdəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. Also called (in the US and Canada): transit.  a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small tripod-mounted telescope that is free to move in both the horizontal and vertical planes

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theodolite Scientific  

/ thē-ŏd′l-īt′ /

1. An optical instrument used to measure angles in surveying, meteorology, and navigation. In meteorology, it is used to track the motion of a weather balloon by measuring its elevation and azimuth angle. The earliest theodolite consisted of a small mounted telescope that rotated horizontally and vertically; modern versions are sophisticated computerized devices, capable of tracking weather balloons, airplanes, and other moving objects, at distances of up to 20,000 m (65,600 ft).

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Other Word Forms

• theodolitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of theodolite

First recorded in 1565–75, theodolite is from the New Latin word theodolitus < ?

Example Sentences

The tool, a theodolite, is used to measure precise geographical location for missile launches as well as the angle and direction of the launchers, Dr Su said.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2023

Over the city’s center point, Coyote had set up a theodolite, a surveying instrument he used to locate 6,000 small red flags that marked the city’s street grid.

From New York Times • Sep. 5, 2019

Morrison had brought his theodolite, a surveying instrument with a telescope, into Central Park in the early morning and set it up at Belvedere Castle.

From Scientific American • Feb. 15, 2013

This time was for keeps; the flight would be measured officially both by the instrument package in the plane and by radar and theodolite cameras tracking it from the ground.

From Time Magazine Archive

In connection with his surveying work, Leonard Digges invented the theodolite around 1551.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin