circumferentor

[ ser-kuhm-fuh-ren-ter ]

noun

, Surveying.

1. an alidade equipped with a compass and two diametrically opposed vertical arms with slits for sighting through.

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumferentor¹

1600–10; < Latin circumferent ( ia ) circumference + -or ²

Example Sentences

An improvement which was no doubt introduced at a very early day is the measuring wheel or circumferentor.

From Project Gutenberg

The ravines are deep, and the sides of the hills are covered with the same stone, of which a pile was erected on the summit of the head to mark the spot where the circumferentor was placed.

From Project Gutenberg