Definition of theodolite Theodolite

the•od•o•lite

We found 8 definitions of theodolite from 8 different sources.

What does theodolite mean?

Noun Plural: theodolites
theodolite - a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod
		transit
		surveying instrument, surveyor's instrument an instrument used by surveyors
		alidad, alidade surveying instrument used with a plane table for drawing lines of sight on a distant object and for measuring angles

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theodolite (Noun)
A surveying instrument, consisting of a small mounted telescope, used to measure horizontal and vertical angles.

theodolite (n.)
An instrument used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. It is variously constructed.

theodolite
An instrument for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks. (source: Wikipedia)

theodolite
thē-od′ō-līt, n. an instrument used in land-surveying for the measurement of angles horizontal and vertical, being neither more nor less than an altitude and azimuth instrument, proportioned and constructed so as to be conveniently portable.—adj. Theodolit′ic. [Ety. unknown; Gr. theasthai, to see + hodos, way + litos, smooth; theasthai + dolichos, long, &c.]

theodolite
The theodolite, as used in land-surveying, levelling, &c., is well known. But the great theodolite, with its vertical circle and telescope adapted to the observation of the heavenly bodies, as used by nautical astronomers, commonly called an alt-azimuth instrument, is almost an observatory per se. By this alone, within three hours on each side of noon, the longitude, latitude, and magnetic variation of a position may be determined.

theodolite
An instrument, variously constructed, used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. The theodolite consists principally of a telescope, with cross-wires in its focus, mounted so as to turn both on vertical and horizontal axes, the former carrying a horizontal vernier-plate over a graduated plate or circle for aximuthal angles, and the latter a vertical, graduated arc or semicircle for altitudes,--the whole furnished with leveling-screws and levels for adjusting to the horizon, and mounted on a tripod. It is usually so constructed that a horizontal angle may be repeated indefinitely around the limb, and thus a large number of repetitions added mechanically, to secure greater accuracy in the resulting mean.