cardinal points

cardinal points
The four intersections of the horizon with the meridian and the prime vertical circle (or simply the prime vertical). The intersection with the meridian is designated north and south, and the intersection with the prime vertical is designated east and west. The cardinal points are 90° apart; they lie in a plane with each other and correspond to the cardinal regions of the heavens. The four basic directions—north, south, east, and west—are collectively known as cardinal points. The four intermediate points—northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest—are called collateral, quadrantal, or intercardinal points.
Cardinal points around the horizon.

Aviation dictionary. 2014.

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  • Cardinal points — Cardinal Car di*nal, a. [L. cardinalis, fr. cardo the hinge of a door, that on which a thing turns or depends: cf. F. cardinal.] Of fundamental importance; pre[ e]minent; superior; chief; principal. [1913 Webster] The cardinal intersections of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cardinal points — n. the four principal points of the compass; north, south, east, and west …   English World dictionary

  • cardinal points — the four chief directions of the compass; the north, south, east, and west points. [1540 50] * * * cardinal points, any one of the four main directions of the compass; north, south, east, west. * * * ˌcardinal ˈpoints [ …   Useful english dictionary

  • cardinal points — 1. a group of points on the optic axis, including the nodal points, the principal foci, and the optic center; they may include conjugate focal points of the object and image. Called also principal p s. 2. four points within the pelvic inlet: the… …   Medical dictionary

  • cardinal points — car′dinal points′ n. pl. geo the north, south, east, and west points of the compass • Etymology: 1540–50 …   From formal English to slang

  • cardinal points — the four chief directions of the compass; the north, south, east, and west points. [1540 50] * * * …   Universalium

  • cardinal points — East, west, north, and south; the four points of the compass …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • cardinal points of the ecliptic — the two equinoctial and the two solstitial points …   Useful english dictionary

  • cardinal points —   North, South, East, West …   Geography glossary

  • Cardinal direction — Cardinal point redirects here. For other uses of the term, see Cardinal point (disambiguation). A compass rose showing the four cardinal directions, the four ordinal directions, plus eight further divisions. The four cardinal directions or… …   Wikipedia

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