# theodolite

> English word · Noun · IPA /θiːˈɒdəlaɪt/

## Definitions
1. A surveying instrument, consisting of a small mounted telescope, used to measure horizontal and vertical angles.

## Etymology
From New Latin theodolitus (1571), perhaps containing Ancient Greek θέᾱ (théā, “sight, view”) and Arabic العِضَادَة (al-ʕiḍāda, “astrolabe, alidade”); if so, doublet of alidade.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/theodolite