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Definition of transit circle in English:

transit circle

(also transit instrument)

Pronunciation /ˈtranzət ˈsərkəl/ /ˈtrænzət ˈsərkəl/

noun

another term for meridian circle
‘At the Greenwich Royal Observatory Halley used the first transit instrument and devised a method for determining longitude at sea by means of lunar observations.’
  • ‘In astronomy he installed the first transit instrument in the Paris Observatory.’
  • ‘He is particularly famous in this area for his brilliant ideas on improving the design of a transit instrument.’
  • ‘They perfected not only the old transit instruments, but devised many new ones for various purposes.’
  • ‘His greatest achievement was the 8-inch transit circle that he designed in the years 1840-1848.’