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longitude Definition

lon·gi·tude (länjə to̵̅o̅d′, -tyo̵̅o̅d′; -lôn-)

noun

  1. length
  2. distance east or west on the earth's surface, measured as an arc of the equator (in degrees up to 180° or by the difference in time) between the meridian passing through a particular place and a standard or prime meridian, usually the one passing through Greenwich, England
  3. Astron.

Etymology: ME < L longitudo < longus, long

longitude Synonyms

longitude

n.

longitude in arc, longitude in time, celestial longitude; see distance 3, measure 1.

longitude Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • calculate: A basic ship's log was used as a means of estimating the speed of a vessel, and so roughly calculating the longitude.
  • determine: One of the big problems of the day was being able to determine the longitude at sea.
  • find: King Charles II founded the Royal Observatory in 1675 to solve the problem of finding longitude at sea.

Preposition: at

  • sea: King Charles II founded the Royal Observatory in 1675 to solve the problem of finding longitude at sea.

Adjective modifier

  • galactic: The Astronomical Almanac reports the galactic longitude of the object in decimal degrees.
  • ecliptic: The Astronomical Almanac reports the ecliptic longitude of the object in decimal degrees.
  • celestial: Celestial longitude is reckoned eastwards from the vernal equinox, which is also known as the first point of Aries ' .
  • geographic: West Longitude This is the geographic West longitude of the location for which to perform the calculations.
  • east: Tuva lies between 89 degrees and 100 degrees east longitude, and 49 and 53 degrees north latitude.
  • West: Today we crossed the line in West longitude ( Sunday ). 9 Sep 1857.

Modifies a noun

  • 0�: The Prime Meridian Longitude 0° - at the Royal Observatory is the official baseline from which world time is measured.
  • co-ordinate: The new boundary is defined by latitude and longitude co-ordinates.
  • prise: A body known as the Board of Longitude was set up to administer and judge the longitude prize.
  • scale: North is clearly indicated by the longitude scale at the bottom taken with the time from Greenwich at the top.
  • difference: Secondly the longitude difference needs to be considered; 1° is equivalent to 4 minutes.

Noun used with modifier

  • degree: For this is where the Earth's prime meridian, the line of zero degrees longitude, originates.

Preposition: in

  • degree: To convert longitude in decimal degrees to decimal hours divide by 15.

Preposition: of

  • object: The Astronomical Almanac reports the galactic longitude of the object in decimal degrees.
  • source: Col. 44: LII ( D ) [ deg ] SAS task srcmatch Galactic longitude of the source in degrees.
  • star: Ignoring nutation, luni-solar precession simply adds 50.35 arc-seconds per year to the ecliptic longitude of every star, leaving the ecliptic latitude unchanged.
longitude Quotes

Where in this small-talking world can I find A longitude with no platitude?

—Fry, C(harles) B(urgess)