noun
- a sighting device or ruler with a sight line, used on surveying instruments to measure angles and distances on maps or terrain
Usage: technical; surveying
Examples
- The surveyor aligned the alidade with the distant landmark to record the angle.
- An alidade is an essential component of a transit or theodolite used in land surveying.
- By rotating the alidade on the protractor, the engineer could measure the bearing of the new road.
- The alidade's straight edge helped the cartographer draw accurate lines on the map.
- Modern surveying instruments have replaced the traditional alidade with digital angle-measuring systems.