surveying instrument

Other forms: surveying instruments

Definitions of surveying instrument

1. noun

   an instrument used by surveyors
   synonyms: surveyor's instrument

   types:

   alidad, alidade

   surveying instrument used with a plane table for drawing lines of sight on a distant object and for measuring angles

   alidad, alidade

   surveying instrument consisting of the upper movable part of a theodolite including the telescope and its attachments

   clinometer, inclinometer

   an instrument used by surveyors in order to measure an angle of inclination or elevation

   plane table

   surveying instrument consisting of a drawing board and a ruler that are mounted on a tripod; used to sight and map topographical details

   flagpole, range pole, ranging pole

   surveying instrument consisting of a straight rod painted in bands of alternate red and white each one foot wide; used for sightings by surveyors

   surveyor's level

   surveying instrument consisting basically of a small telescope with an attached spirit level rotating around a vertical axis; for measuring relative heights of land

   theodolite, transit

   a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod

   Abney level

   a surveying instrument consisting of a spirit level and a sighting tube; used to measure the angle of inclination of a line from the observer to the target

   Dumpy level

   a surveyor's level having a short telescope fixed to a horizontally rotating table and a spirit level

   tacheometer, tachymeter

   a theodolite designed for rapid measurements

   type of:

   instrument

   a device that requires skill for proper use