lunar distance
2 definitions found
lunar distance - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Lunar \Lu"nar\ (l[=u]"n[~e]r), a. [L. lunaris, fr. luna the
moon. See Luna, and cf. Lunary.]
1. Of or pertaining to the moon; as, lunar observations.
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2. Resembling the moon; orbed. --Dryden.
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3. Measured by the revolutions of the moon; as, a lunar
month.
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4. Influenced by the moon, as in growth, character, or
properties; as, lunar herbs. --Bacon.
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Lunar caustic (Med. Chem.), silver nitrate prepared to be
used as a cautery; -- so named because silver was called
luna by the ancient alchemists.
Lunar cycle. Same as Metonic cycle. See under Cycle.
Lunar distance, the angular distance of the moon from the
sun, a star, or a planet, employed for determining
longitude by the lunar method.
Lunar method, the method of finding a ship's longitude by
comparing the local time of taking (by means of a sextant
or circle) a given lunar distance, with the Greenwich time
corresponding to the same distance as ascertained from a
nautical almanac, the difference of these times being the
longitude.
Lunar month. See Month.
Lunar observation, an observation of a lunar distance by
means of a sextant or circle, with the altitudes of the
bodies, and the time, for the purpose of computing the
longitude.
Lunar tables.
(a) (Astron.) Tables of the moon's motions, arranged for
computing the moon's true place at any time past or
future.
(b) (Navigation) Tables for correcting an observed lunar
distance on account of refraction and parallax.
Lunar year, the period of twelve lunar months, or 354 days,
8 hours, 48 minutes, and 34.38 seconds.
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Distance \Dis"tance\, n. [F. distance, L. distantia.]
1. The space between two objects; the length of a line,
especially the shortest line joining two points or things
that are separate; measure of separation in place.
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Every particle attracts every other with a force . .
. inversely proportioned to the square of the
distance. --Sir I.
Newton.
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2. Remoteness of place; a remote place.
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Easily managed from a distance. --W. Irving.
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'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. --T.
Campbell.
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[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
--Addison.
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3. (Racing) A space marked out in the last part of a race
course.
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The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
--L'Estrange.
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Note: In trotting matches under the rules of the American
Association, the distance varies with the conditions of
the race, being 80 yards in races of mile heats, best
two in three, and 150 yards in races of two-mile heats.
At that distance from the winning post is placed the
distance post. If any horse has not reached this
distance post before the first horse in that heat has
reached the winning post, such horse is distanced, and
disqualified for running again during that race.
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4. (Mil.) Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured
from front to rear; -- contrasted with interval, which
is measured from right to left. "Distance between
companies in close column is twelve yards." --Farrow.
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5. Space between two antagonists in fencing. --Shak.
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6. (Painting) The part of a picture which contains the
representation of those objects which are the farthest
away, esp. in a landscape.
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Note: In a picture, the
Middle distance is the central portion between the
foreground and the distance or the extreme distance. In a
perspective drawing, the
Point of distance is the point where the visual rays meet.
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7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety. --Locke.
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8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future,
between two eras or events.
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Ten years' distance between one and the other.
--Prior.
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The writings of Euclid at the distance of two
thousand years. --Playfair.
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9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence,
respect; ceremoniousness.
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I hope your modesty
Will know what distance to the crown is due.
--Dryden.
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'T is by respect and distance that authority is
upheld. --Atterbury.
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10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness;
disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
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Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least
distrust amongst themselves. --Bacon.
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On the part of Heaven,
Now alienated, distance and distaste. --Milton.
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11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance
between a descendant and his ancestor.
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12. (Mus.) The interval between two notes; as, the distance
of a fourth or seventh.
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Angular distance, the distance made at the eye by lines
drawn from the eye to two objects.
Lunar distance. See under Lunar.
North polar distance (Astron.), the distance on the heavens
of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the
complement of the declination.
Zenith distance (Astron.), the arc on the heavens from a
heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the
complement of the altitude.
To keep one's distance, to stand aloof; to refrain from
familiarity.
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If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is
he keeps his at the same time. --Swift.
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