Aviation dictionary. 2014.
Vertical circle — Vertical Ver ti*cal, a. [Cf. F. vertical. See {Vertex}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Of or pertaining to the vertex; situated at the vertex, or highest point; directly overhead, or in the zenith; perpendicularly above one. [1913 Webster] Charity . . . is… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Vertical circle — Circle Cir cle (s[ e]r k l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri kos, ki rkos, circle, ring. Cf. {Circus}, {Circum }.] [1913 Webster] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
vertical circle — n. Astron. any great circle of the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and the nadir and perpendicular to the horizon … English World dictionary
Vertical circle — Azimuth Az i*muth, n. [OE. azimut, F. azimut, fr. Ar. as sum?t, pl. of as samt a way, or perh., a point of the horizon and a circle extending to it from the zenith, as being the Arabic article: cf. It. azzimutto, Pg. azimuth, and Ar. samt al… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Vertical circle — In astronomy, a vertical circle is a great circle on the celestial sphere that is perpendicular to the horizon. Therefore it passes through the zenith and the nadir. There is a vertical circle for any given direction. The vertical circle which is … Wikipedia
vertical circle — /vɜtɪkəl ˈsɜkəl/ (say vertikuhl serkuhl) noun 1. Astronomy a great circle on the celestial sphere which passes through the zenith and cuts the horizon at right angles. 2. Surveying the graduated circular plate of a theodolite used for measuring… …
vertical circle — noun a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon • Hypernyms: ↑great circle … Useful english dictionary
vertical circle — noun Date: 1559 a great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is perpendicular to that of the horizon see azimuth illustration … New Collegiate Dictionary
vertical circle — Astron. a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith. [1550 60] * * * … Universalium
vertical circle — ver′tical cir′cle n. astron. a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith • Etymology: 1550–60 … From formal English to slang
