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, the shortest line that can be drawn between two points on the elipsoidal surface of the earth; a curve drawn on any given surface so that the osculating plane of the curve at every point shall contain the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be drawn on any surface between any two points.…

Knowledge of the earth. [R.] G. Eliot.

Of or pertaining to geognosy, or to a knowledge of the structure of the earth; geological. [R.]

That part of geology which treats of the materials of the earth's structure, and its general exterior and interior constitution.

Of or pertaining to geogony, or to the formation of the earth.

The branch of science which treats of the formation of the earth.

; differing slightly from the geocentric latitude by reason of the difference between the earth's figure and a true sphere. -- Geographical mile. See under Mile. -- Geographical variation, any variation of a species which is dependent on climate or other geographical conditions.

The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth, including its structure, fetures, products, political divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.

The worship of the earth. G. W. Cox. The Geological Series.

Of or pertaining to geology, or the science of the earth.

vination by means of figures or lines, formed by little dots or points, originally on the earth, and latterly on paper.

The act or habit of eating earth. See Dirt eating, under Dirt. Dunglison.

One who eats earth, as dirt, clay, chalk, etc.

Earth-eating.

Pertaining to tillage of the earth, or agriculture.

The art or science of cultivating the earth; agriculture. Evelin.

Knowledge of the earth, ground, or soil, obtained by inspection. Chambers.

Pertaining to the earth and moon; belonging to the joint action or mutual relations of the earth and moon; as, geoselenic phenomena.

Relating to the pressure exerted by earth or similar substance. Geostatic arch, an arch having a form adapted to sustain pressure similar to that exerted by earth. Rankine.

the downward bend or subsidence of the earth's crust, which allows of the gradual accumulation of sediment, and hence forms the first step in the making of a mountain range; -- opposed to geanticlinal.