Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
alidade
noun
/ˌælɪˈdeɪd/

Definition
A straight edge or a line of sight used in surveying and navigation.

Examples
- The surveyor used an alidade to accurately measure angles for the land survey.
- With the alidade set in place, it became easier to take precise readings on the map.
- In ancient navigational tools, the alidade was crucial for determining the position of stars.

Meaning
An alidade is a tool used to help align a sighting instrument or to measure angles in surveying operations.

Synonyms
- straightedge
- sighting device
- optical sight