azimuth

1. The horizontal angular distance from a reference direction, usually the northern point of the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle through a celestial body intersects the horizon, usually measured clockwise. Sometimes the southern point is used as the reference direction, and the measurement is made clockwise through 360°.
2. The horizontal angle of the observer's bearing in surveying, measured clockwise from a referent direction, as from the north, or from a referent celestial body, usually Polaris.
3. The lateral deviation of a projectile or bomb.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English azimut

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Arabic as-sumūt

Origin: , pl. of as-samt, the way, compass bearing

Origin: : al-, the

Origin: + samt, way (from Latin sēmita, path; see mei-¹ in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms:

• azˌi·muthˈal (-mŭthˈəl) adjective

• azˌi·muthˈal·ly adverb