transit instrument

American  

noun

1. Astronomy. meridian circle.

2. Surveying. transit.

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transit instrument British  

noun

1. an astronomical instrument, mounted on an E-W axis, in which the reticle of a telescope is always in the plane of the meridian. It is used to time the transit of a star, etc, across the meridian

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Etymology

Origin of transit instrument

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Of or pertaining to the azimuth; in a horizontal circle. ÷ error of a transit instrument, its deviation in azimuth from the plane of the meridian.

From Project Gutenberg

The dome contains an equatorial telescope, and the flank towers a transit instrument and mural circle.

From Project Gutenberg

Surveyors make use of this proposition when they wish, without using a transit instrument, to run one line parallel to another.

From Project Gutenberg

The direction of the meridian is determined either by a theodolite or a portable transit instrument.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first plan which was tried, the reflector was used as a transit instrument.

From Project Gutenberg