groma
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈɡroʊmə/
- Archaic
- The surveyor used a groma to accurately measure the angles and lines for the new road.
Examples
-
In that device, called a groma, a cross-shaped frame was mounted horizontally on a vertical column.
Academic text (2003) -
The groma was a device for plotting right angles in the field.
Academic text (2003) -
To ensure precision in his measurements, he relied on the ancient groma during the construction project.
-
Roman engineers preferred the groma for its effectiveness in laying out right angles on their plans.
Synonyms
1
8.9
A small telescope on a tripod used to measure horizontal and vertical angles
1
9.9
A tool people use to measure side-to-side and up-and-down angles on land
1
9.9
A tool used to measure directions or angles when mapping land
1
9.9
A tool surveyors use to measure distances quickly
An instrument for measuring distance, direction, and height on land quickly
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word groma comes from Latin groma, the name for a cross-shaped surveying tool Roman engineers used with hanging lines to make straight lines and 'right angles'. That's why groma means the ancient instrument used to lay out roads and city grids.