Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Backsight
Back′sightˊ
(băk′sītˊ)
, Noun.
[
Back
, adv. + sight
.] (Surv.)
The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied. Cf. , 3.
Foresight
, Noun.
Definition 2024
backsight
backsight
English
Noun
backsight (plural backsights)
- The rear sight of a firearm.
- (surveying) A measurement or reading taken back towards a point of known elevation, used to calculate the height of the surveying instrument (theodolite, transit, total station).
- (surveying) A measurement of a previously shot point, used to set the angle to zero when occupying a new position.
Verb
backsight (third-person singular simple present backsights, present participle backsighting, simple past and past participle backsighted)
- (surveying) To shoot a backsight.