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theodolite

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.06 sec.
theodolite (thēŏd`əlīt'), calibrated optical instrument used to determine relative position in surveying surveying, method of determining accurately points and lines of direction (bearings) on the earth's surface and preparing from them maps or plans. Boundaries, areas, elevations, construction lines, and geographical or artificial features are determined by the
..... Click the link for more information. , navigation, and meteorology. It is similar in construction to a surveyor's transit, consisting of a telescope fitted with a spirit level and mounted on a tripod so that it is free to rotate about its vertical and horizontal axes. (Sometimes two or more telescopes of different magnifications are used.) Graduated scales are used to measure the amount of rotation about the axes. Measurements of the altitude and azimuth of a weather balloon weather balloon, balloon used in the measurement and evaluation of mostly upper atmospheric conditions (see atmosphere ). Information may be gathered during the vertical ascent of the balloon through the atmosphere or during its motions once it has reached a
..... Click the link for more information.  at precise time intervals are used to compute the estimated wind velocity of the atmosphere.
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The theodolite hit a jutting cliff-ledge and exploded like a shell; the books, inkstands, paint-boxes, compasses, and rulers showed for a few seconds like a swarm of bees.
Kim by Kipling, Rudyard View in context
It was a lieutenant and a couple of privates of the 8th Hus- sars, with a stand like a theodolite, which the artilleryman told me was a heliograph.
The War Of The Worlds by Wells, H.G. View in context
In doubling the point, two of the officers landed to take a round of angles with the theodolite.
The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, Charles View in context
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