n. 1. An indicator or a sighting apparatus on a plane table, used in angular measurement. 2. A topographic surveying and mapping instrument used for determining directions, consisting of a telescope and attached parts. [French, from Medieval Latin alidada, sighting rod, from Arabic al-'iḍāda, the revolving radius of a circle : al-, the + 'iḍāda, revolving radius (alternate form of 'aḍud, humerus, from 'aḍada, to lop, cut (trees); see ʿd in the Appendix of Semitic roots).] |
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