theodolite

[ thee-od-l-ahyt ]

noun

1. Surveying. a precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles. Compare transit ( def 6 ).
2. phototheodolite.

theodolite

/ θɪˌɒdəˈlɪtɪk; θɪˈɒdəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. 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 Also called (in the US and Canada)transit

theodolite

/ 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).

Derived Forms

• theodolitic, adjective

Other Words From

• the·od·o·lit·ic [thee-od-l-, it, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of theodolite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of theodolite¹

C16: from New Latin theodolitus, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

He made application at head-quarters for a theodolite to make a triangulation of the distance, but was refused its use.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he found the gale very troublesome, his theodolite being nearly blown over several times.

From Project Gutenberg

This is dead reckoning, as the theodolite legs have been out of action for some time, splinted together to form tent-props.

From Project Gutenberg

Webb set up the theodolite while Hurley and I paced out a half-mile base-line to find out the intervening distance.

From Project Gutenberg

On December 21 the load on the sledge was stripped down to tent, dip-circle, theodolite, cooker and a little food.

From Project Gutenberg