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That branch of applied mathematics which determines, by means of observations and measurements, the figures and areas of large portions of the earth's surface, or the general figure and dimenshions of the earth; or that branch of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account, as in the surveys of…

ction on a vertical plane; -- called by the ancients the orthography. Angle of elevation (Geodesy), the angle which an ascending line makes with a horizontal plane. -- Elevation of the host (R. C. Ch.), that part of the Mass in which the priest raises the host above his head for the people to adore.…

One versed in geodesy.

Of or pertaining to gebdesy; obtained or determined by the operations of geodesy; engaged in geodesy; geodesic; as, geodetic surveying; geodetic observers. Geodetic line or curve, 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 th…

In a geodetic manner; according to geodesy.

Same as Geodesy.

That branch of the science of geodesy which has to do with the measurement of heights, either absolutely with reference to the sea level, or relatively.

ation of the whole on paper; the act or occupation of making surveys. Geodetic surveying, geodesy. -- Maritime, or Nautical, surveying, that branch of surveying which determines the forms of coasts and harbors, the entrances of rivers, with the position of islands, rocks, and shoals, the depth of water, etc. -- Plane…

n.) See under Distance. -- Zenith sector. (Astron.) See Sector, 3. -- Zenith telescope (Geodesy), a telescope specially designed for determining the latitude by means of any two stars which pass the meridian about the same time, and at nearly equal distances from the zenith, but on opposite sides of it. It turns both…