thēˈäd ə lˌīt noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin theodelitus, perhaps modification of English the alidade — more at alidade
: a surveyor's instrument for measuring horizontal and usually also vertical angles that consists of a telescope mounted so as to swivel vertically in supports secured to a revolvable table carrying a vernier for reading horizontal angles and usually includes also a graduated arc or circle for altitudes and a horizontal compass — compare transit 4
• the·od·o·lit·ic ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|id.ik adjective