geodesy

[ jee-od-uh-see ]
/ dʒiˈɒd ə si /

noun

the branch of applied mathematics that deals with the measurement of the shape and area of large tracts of country, the exact position of geographical points, and the curvature, shape, and dimensions of the earth.
Also ge·o·det·ics [jee-uh-det-iks] /ˌdʒi əˈdɛt ɪks/.

Origin of geodesy

1560–70; < French géodésie < Greek geōdaisía, equivalent to geō- geo- + daí(ein) to divide + -sia, variant of -ia -ia (generalized from stems ending in t)

OTHER WORDS FROM geodesy

ge·od·e·sist, noun

Words nearby geodesy

geode, geodemographics, geodesic, geodesic dome, geodesic line, geodesy, geodetic, geodetic latitude, geodetic longitude, geodetic survey, geodetic surveying

Example sentences from the Web for geodesy

British Dictionary definitions for geodesy

geodesy

geodetics (ˌdʒiːəʊˈdɛtɪks)

/ (dʒɪˈɒdɪsɪ) /

noun

the branch of science concerned with determining the exact position of geographical points and the shape and size of the earth

Derived forms of geodesy

geodesist, noun

Word Origin for geodesy

C16: from French géodésie, from Greek geōdaisia, from geo- + daiein to divide

Scientific definitions for geodesy

geodesy
[ jē-ŏd′ĭ-sē ]

The scientific study of the size and shape of the Earth, its field of gravity, and such varying phenomena as the motion of the magnetic poles and the tides.

Other words from geodesy

geodetic adjective