geodetic

adjective

geo·​det·​ic ˌjē-ə-ˈde-tik How to pronounce geodetic (audio)
variants or less commonly geodetical
: of, relating to, or determined by geodesy

Examples of geodetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Einstein’s theory predicted that the orientation of the gyroscopes should slowly drift due to two phenomena: the geodetic effect, or Earth’s warping of space-time due to its mass, and frame-dragging, the tug on space-time that occurs as Earth rotates on its axis. Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2012 The clear signal — the geodetic fingerprint — of a large subduction earthquake would be the abrupt lowering of land behind the beaches when the upper plate got stretched like taffy, snapped to the west, and then sank below the tide line. Jerry Thompson, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2012 However, studies of the land's surface around Rome by InSAR and geodetic surveys over the last ~50 years have shown 50 centimeters (~20 inches) of uplift in the parts of the Colli Albani that have seen previous eruptions. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2016 If similar slickenlines are discovered for older faults, that won’t immediately translate to better risk assessments, cautions Laura Wallace, a geodetic scientist also at GNS Science. Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 23 Sep. 2020 David Mills, a mild-mannered geodetic engineer, and Edward Espenshade, the geographer, were more at ease with the G.I.s. Greg Miller, Smithsonian, 23 Oct. 2019 But because that approach doesn’t work on the open ocean, each continent remained isolated—there was no single geodetic network to link them together. Greg Miller, National Geographic, 28 Jan. 2017 Their main tool was something called HIRAN aerial geodetic surveying, which is nicely illustrated by a cartoon in the video (starting around the 3:55 mark). Greg Miller, National Geographic, 28 Jan. 2017 But because that approach doesn’t work on the open ocean, each continent remained isolated—there was no single geodetic network to link them together. Greg Miller, National Geographic, 28 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'geodetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

geodesy; after such pairs as heresy : heretic

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of geodetic was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near geodetic

Cite this Entry

“Geodetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geodetic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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