Abneyn.
/ˈabni/, U.S. /ˈæbni/ 1. Abney level n. a small hand-held instrument used in surveying for the measurement of slopes and vertical angles, invented by Abney in the 1870s.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > surveying instruments > for measuring inclination or gradient
clinatory1659
chain inclinometera1877
Abney level1883
Abney clinometer1885
gradiometer1899
1872 Proc. Royal Geogr. Soc. 16 11 Pocket level (Abney's), with a mirror to show where the bubble is, when it is held to the eye. It serves as a clinometer, as well.]
1883 James W. Queen & Co. Priced & Illustr. Catal. Math. Instruments 133 Abney Level and Clinometer... Combines the ‘Locke Hand Level’ with the Clinometer, giving angles of elevation and slopes, in wood box.
1889 G. W. Usill Pract. Surveying iii. 33 The Abney Level.—This portable and neat little instrument is a reflecting level and clinometer combined... It was invented by Captain Abney (of photographic renown).
1955 Oxf. Junior Encycl. VIII. 429/1 The Abney level or clinometer, which consists of a sighting tube fixed to a semicircular vertical plate marked in degrees, with a spirit level attached to its index, is..used to measure vertical angles.
2006 New Yorker 9 Oct. 33/1 He carried with him an Abney level, a small, disk-shaped instrument that can estimate height.
2. Abney clinometer n. = Abney level n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > surveying instruments > for measuring inclination or gradient
clinatory1659
chain inclinometera1877
Abney level1883
Abney clinometer1885
gradiometer1899
1885 Ann. Rep. State Geologist 1885 (Geol. Surv. New Jersey) 197 A Hutchinson prismatic compass, protractor and scale, and, if in very hilly country, an aneroid barometer and Abney clinometer are added to his outfit.
1935 Geogr. Jrnl. 85 228 For points off the route vertical angles were taken by Abney clinometer.
1982 Geogr. Jrnl. 148 231 An Abney clinometer was used to measure slope angles at five sample points within each of the 14 chines and valleys.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1883