n. [ See Circumfer. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. A surveying instrument, for taking horizontal angles and bearings; a surveyor's compass. It consists of a compass whose needle plays over a circle graduated to 360°, and of a horizontal brass bar at the ends of which are standards with narrow slits for sighting, supported on a tripod by a ball and socket joint. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A graduated wheel for measuring tires; a tire circle. [ 1913 Webster ] |