Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

transit circle

American  

noun

Astronomy.
  1. meridian circle.


Etymology

Origin of transit circle

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The new transit circle arrived from Berlin in its boxes.

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

J. M., superintendent of Naval Observatory, 99;   obtains new transit circle, 105.

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

In 1681 he took up his duties as astronomer at Copenhagen, and built the first transit circle on a window-sill of his house.

From History of Astronomy by Forbes, George

A heliometer is the most accurate astronomical instrument for relative measurements of position, as a transit circle is the most accurate for absolute determinations.

From Pioneers of Science by Lodge, Oliver, Sir

If he could not get such an instrument, he measured the positions of the stars with a transit circle.

From The Future of Astronomy by Pickering, Edward Charles

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training