Azimuthal

az·i·muth  (z-mth)

n.

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.

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[Middle English azimut, from Old French, from Arabic as-sumt, pl. of as-samt, the way, compass bearing : al-, the + samt, way (from Latin smita, path; see mei-¹ in Indo-European roots).]

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azi·muthal (-mthl) adj.

azi·muthal·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

azimuthal - of or relating to or in azimuth