TRIANGULATION

triangulation

(noun) a method of surveying; the area is divided into triangles and the length of one side and its angles with the other two are measured, then the lengths of the other sides can be calculated

triangulation

(noun) a trigonometric method of determining the position of a fixed point from the angles to it from two fixed points a known distance apart; useful in navigation

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

triangulation (countable and uncountable, plural triangulations)

(uncountable, surveying) A technique in which distances and directions are estimated from an accurately measured baseline and the principles of trigonometry; (countable) an instance of the use of this technique.

(countable, surveying) The network of triangles so obtained, that are the basis of a chart or map.

(countable, chess) A delaying move in which the king moves in a triangular path to force the advance of a pawn.

(countable, geometry) A subdivision of a planar object into triangles, and by extension the subdivision of a higher-dimension geometric object into simplices.

(uncountable, navigation, seismology) A process by which an unknown location is found using three known distances from known locations.

(uncountable, politics) The practice of repositioning one's group or oneself on the political spectrum in an attempt to capture the centre.

(uncountable, qualitative research) The use of three (or more) researchers to interview the same people or to evaluate the same evidence to reduce the impact of individual bias.

Hypernyms

• polygonation

Coordinate terms

• quadrangulation

Notes

Source: Wiktionary

Tri*an`gu*la"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. triangulation.] (Surv.)

Definition: The series or network of triangles into which the face of a country, or any portion of it, is divided in a trigonometrical survey; the operation of measuring the elements necessary to determine the triangles into which the country to be surveyed is supposed to be divided, and thus to fix the positions and distances of the several points connected by them.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition