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