Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Azimuth
Az′i-muth
,Noun.
[OE.
azimut
, F. azimut
, fr. Ar. as-sum[GREEK]t
, pl. of as-samt
a way, or perh., a point of the horizon and a circle extending to it from the zenith, as
being the Arabic article: cf. It. azzimutto
, Pg. azimuth
, and Ar. samt-al-rā’s
the vertex of the heaven. Cf. Zenith
.] (Astron. & Geodesy)
(a)
The quadrant of an azimuth circle.
(b)
An arc of the horizon intercepted between the meridian of the place and a vertical circle passing through the center of any object;
as, the
azimuth
of a star; the azimuth
or bearing of a line surveying.☞ In trigonometrical surveying, it is customary to reckon the azimuth of a line from the south point of the horizon around by the west from 0° to 360°.
Azimuth circle
, or Vertical circle
one of the great circles of the sphere intersecting each other in the zenith and nadir, and cutting the horizon at right angles.
Hutton.
– Azimuth compass
, a compass resembling the mariner's compass, but having the card divided into degrees instead of rhumbs, and having vertical sights; used for taking the magnetic azimuth of a heavenly body, in order to find, by comparison with the true azimuth, the variation of the needle.
– Azimuth dial
, a dial whose stile or gnomon is at right angles to the plane of the horizon.
Hutton.
– Magnetic azimuth
, an arc of the horizon, intercepted between the vertical circle passing through any object and the magnetic meridian. This is found by observing the object with an azimuth compass.