zenith distance
2 definitions found
zenith distance - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Zenith \Ze"nith\ (?; 277), n. [OE. senyth, OF. cenith, F.
z['e]nith, Sp. zenit, cenit, abbrev. fr. Ar. samt-urras way
of the head, vertical place; samt way, path + al the + ras
head. Cf. Azimuth.]
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1. That point in the visible celestial hemisphere which is
vertical to the spectator; the point of the heavens
directly overhead; -- opposed to nadir.
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From morn
To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,
A summer's day; and with the setting sun
Dropped from the zenith, like a falling star.
--Milton.
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2. hence, figuratively, the point of culmination; the
greatest height; the height of success or prosperity.
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I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star. --Shak.
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This dead of midnight is the noon of thought,
And wisdom mounts her zenith with the stars. --Mrs.
Barbauld.
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It was during those civil troubles . . . this
aspiring family reached the zenith. --Macaulay.
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Zenith distance. (Astron.) See under Distance.
Zenith sector. (Astron.) See Sector, 3.
Zenith telescope (Geodesy), a telescope specially designed
for determining the latitude by means of any two stars
which pass the meridian about the same time, and at nearly
equal distances from the zenith, but on opposite sides of
it. It turns both on a vertical and a horizontal axis, is
provided with a graduated vertical semicircle, and a level
for setting it to a given zenith distance, and with a
micrometer for measuring the difference of the zenith
distances of the two stars.
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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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