backsight

[ bak-sahyt ]

noun

, Surveying.

1. a sight on a previously occupied instrument station.
2. (in leveling) the reading on a rod that is held on a point of known elevation, used in computing the elevation of the instrument.

backsight

/ ˈbækˌsaɪt /

noun

1. the sight of a rifle nearer the stock
2. surveying a reading taken looking backwards to a previously occupied station Compare foresight

Word History and Origins

Origin of backsight¹

First recorded in 1840–50; back ² + sight

Example Sentences

“I cannot do any magic for Kay,” he said slowly, “except my own magic that I have anyway. Backsight and insight and all that Do you mean anything I could do with that?”

From Literature

“My boy,” he said, “you shall be everything in the world, animal, vegetable, mineral, protista or virus, for all I care—before I have done with you—but you will have to trust to my superior backsight. The time is not yet ripe for you to be a hawk—for one thing Hob is still in the mews feeding them—so you may as well sit down for the moment and learn to be a human being.”

From Literature

But the old man was tired and muddled with his backsight, and dreams were in his noddle.

From Literature

To counteract this the aim must be taken higher, but the rifle is so constructed that by raising the slide of the backsight a little, aim may be taken at the original spot.

From Project Gutenberg

An ingenious little instrument called the Vernier is used for measuring the elevation, When it is considered, that, at 600 yards distance from the targets, the difference of 1/150th of an inch on the backsight will be equal to half a foot on the target, it will evidently be of the greatest importance to be able to adjust the sights accordingly.

From Project Gutenberg