North as indicated by the north-seeking pole of the magnetic needle in a compass

A horizontal direction expressed in degrees east or west of a true or magnetic north or south direction

The angle of horizontal deviation, measured clockwise, of a bearing from a standard direction, as from north or south

A sequence of intersecting surveyed lines whose lengths and angles of intersection are recorded graphically on a map and as data in a table

The compass direction from one reference point to the next for each leg of a metes-and-bounds survey

A survey in which curvature of the earth's surface is ignored, and all distances and horizontal angles are assumed to be projected onto a horizontal plane

To determine the exact form, boundaries, extent, and position of a tract of land by linear and angular measurements and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry

A survey made to establish the length and bearing of boundary lines and the area of the tract bounded by these lines

A survey showing boundaries and property lines, usually made to create land units suitable for transfer of title

A device for determining true horizontal or vertical directions by the centering of a bubble in a slightly bowed glass tube filled with alcohol or ether

Also called spirit level

A level, such as that defined by a surface of mercury

A method of surveying in which distances are read by noting the interval on a graduated rod intercepted by two horizontal cross hairs mounted in the telescope of a surveying instrument

A red and white disk on a leveling rod that facilitates the sighting and reading of the rod

A straight pole or bar, conspicuously marked with graduations, and used in measuring the vertical distance between a point on the ground and the line of sight of a surveyor's level

Any level surface, line, or point used as a reference from which elevations are measured

A point temporarily located and marked in order to establish the elevation or position of a surveying instrument at a new station

A precisely located reference point over which a surveying instrument is centered

A marked point of known or assumed elevation, usually on a permanent object, from which other elevations may be established

A surveying instrument having a telescope that can be reversed by turning in a vertical plane, used for measuring horizontal and sometimes vertical angles

A precision instrument having a telescopic sight for establishing horizontal and sometimes vertical angles

A procedure for determining the difference in elevation between two points by means of a level or transit and a rod

The vertical distance above or below a datum

The elevation of a certain point relative to a specified datum

A vertical section of the ground surface taken parallel to a survey line

The entire upper part of a transit or theodolite, including the telescope, its supports, spirit level, horizontal circle, leveling devices, and the spindle

A circular plate, graduated in degrees, minutes, and seconds, and fixed to the base of a transit for measuring horizontal angles

A device for centering a transit or theodolite over a reference point, used in place of a plumb bob in a strong wind