nīˈläməd.ə(r) noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: modification (influenced by English -meter ) of New Latin nilometrion, from Greek neilometrion, from Neilos Nile, river in Africa + -metrion (from metron measure) — more at measure
: a gauge for measuring the height of water in the Nile especially during its flood ; specifically : a graduated scale cut on a natural rock or in the stone wall of a pit communicating with the river
• ni·lo·met·ric |nīlə|me.trik adjective , often capitalized