backsight

English

noun
Definitions
  • The rear sight of a firearm.
  • (surveying) A measurement or reading taken back towards a point of known elevation, used to calculate the height of the surveying instrument (theodolite, transit, total station).
  • (surveying) A measurement of a previously shot point, used to set the angle to zero when occupying a new position.

Etymology

Compound from English back (mild drink, back, chaser) + English sight.

Origin

English

sight

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms