azimuth

(ăzˈə-məth)

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.

Related Forms:

• azˌi·muthˈal (-mŭthˈəl) adjective

• azˌi·muthˈal·ly adverb