/kooh day"/
a telescope in which light from the primary mirror is reflected along the polar axis to additional mirrors, and in which the focus (coudé focus) is independent of the telescope's motion, permitting the use of heavy instruments without disturbing the delicate balance of the telescope.
[ 1920-25; coudé bent, elbowed, ptp. of couder to bend, v. deriv. of coude elbow cubitus CUBIT ]