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 < ?]

* * *

▪ 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.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Theodolite — Théodolite Théodolite Un théodolite est un instrument de géodésie complété d’un instrument d’optique, mesurant des angles dans les deux plans horizontal et vertical afin de déterminer une direction. Il est utilisé pour réaliser les mesures d’une… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Théodolite — Un théodolite est un instrument de géodésie complété d’un instrument d’optique, mesurant des angles dans les deux plans horizontal et vertical afin de déterminer une direction. Il est utilisé pour réaliser les mesures d’une triangulation :… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • théodolite — [ teɔdɔlit ] n. m. • 1704 « instrument d arpentage »; lat. sc. theodolitus (1571); o. i. ♦ Sc. Appareil, instrument de visée muni d une lunette, qui sert en géodésie à mesurer les angles horizontaux (⇒ azimut) et verticaux (⇒ site), à lever les… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Theodolite — The*od o*lite, n. [Probably a corruption of the alidade. See {Alidade}.] An instrument used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. It is variously… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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

  • theodolite — ► NOUN ▪ a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. ORIGIN Latin theodelitus …   English terms dictionary

  • theodolite — [thē äd′ə līt΄] n. [ModL theodelitus: prob. invented ( c. 1571) by Leonard Digges, Eng mathematician] a surveying instrument used to measure vertical and horizontal angles theodolitic [thē äd΄ə lit′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Theodolite — A theodolite (IPA en|θiːˈɒdəlаɪt) is an instrument for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks. It is a key tool in surveying and engineering work, particularly on inaccessible grounds, but theodolites… …   Wikipedia

  • théodolite — (té o do li t ) s. m. Instrument d astronomie et de géodésie, qui sert à mesurer directement les angles réduits à l horizon, et les distances zénithales.    Théodolite autographe, ou planchette photographique, instrument à l aide duquel on… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • theodolite — UK [θɪˈɒdəlaɪt] / US [θɪˈɑdəˌlaɪt] noun [countable] Word forms theodolite : singular theodolite plural theodolites a piece of equipment that a surveyor uses for measuring angles …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”