theodolite

theodolite
theodolitic /thee od'l it"ik/, adj.
/thee od"l uyt'/, n.
1. Survey. a precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles. Cf. transit (def. 6).
2. phototheodolite.
[1565-75; < NL theodolitus < ?]

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▪ measurement instrument
      basic surveying instrument of unknown origin but going back to the 16th-century English mathematician Leonard Digges; it is used to measure horizontal and vertical angles. In its modern form it consists of a telescope mounted to swivel both horizontally and vertically. Leveling is accomplished with the aid of a spirit level; crosshairs in the telescope permit accurate alignment with the object sighted. After the telescope is adjusted precisely, the two accompanying scales, vertical and horizontal, are read.

      Mounted on a tripod with adjustable legs, the theodolite is used in the field to obtain precise angular measurements for triangulation in road building, tunnel alignment, and other civil-engineering work. The transit is a variety of theodolite that has the telescope so mounted that it can be completely reversed, or transited. The phototheodolite, a combination camera and theodolite mounted on the same tripod, is used in terrestrial photogrammetry for mapmaking and other purposes.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • theodolite — 1570s, of unknown origin (see OED for discussion) …   Etymology dictionary

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