- 1. n. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed. Source: opted
- 2. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed. Source: webster
- 3. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of theheavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; --so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed. Source: adambom
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altitudebackbecausebodiesbodycalledformerlyhisinstrumentnowobservedobserverquadrantsextantsupersededtakingturnedheavenly