AZIMUTHAL Meaning and
Definition
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Azimuthal is an adjective that refers to something relating to or pertaining to an azimuth, which is a horizontal angle measured clockwise from a reference point. The term is commonly used in the field of geography and cartography to describe a type of map projection known as an azimuthal projection.
In this context, azimuthal projections depict the Earth's surface onto a plane tangential to a specific point on the globe, usually the North or the South Pole. These projections preserve the true directions and distances from this central reference point, making them particularly useful for navigational purposes, especially in polar regions.
The term can also be found in the field of optics, describing an azimuthal mode of light propagation, characterized by circular or azimuthal symmetry around the optical axis. This means that the light waves have equal intensity at all angles within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
Moreover, in physics and mathematics, azimuthal is often used to describe a coordinate system that specifies positions or directions in three-dimensional space with respect to a reference point or axis. This reference point is usually associated with the origin, while the azimuthal angle is typically measured in a horizontal plane relative to a fixed axis, such as the z-axis in cylindrical coordinates.
In summary, azimuthal refers to something that relates to azimuths, azimuthal projections, or the measurement of angles in relation to a reference point or axis.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for AZIMUTHAL
- zzimuthal
- szimuthal
- wzimuthal
- qzimuthal
- aximuthal
- asimuthal
- aaimuthal
- azumuthal
- azjmuthal
- azkmuthal
- azomuthal
- az9muthal
- az8muthal
- azinuthal
- azikuthal
- azijuthal
- azimythal
- azimhthal
- azijmuthal
- azimwthal
- Trimethal
- asimutal
Etymology of AZIMUTHAL
The word "azimuthal" comes from the combination of two Latin words:
1. "Azimuth" - which comes from the Arabic word "as-sumūt", meaning "the ways" or "the directions".
2. "Al" - which is an Arabic definite article meaning "the".
The Latinized form of "as-sumūt" became "azimuth" in English, referring to the horizontal angle or direction measured clockwise from the north to a point's vertical circle. "Azimuthal" is formed by adding the Latin definite article "al" to "azimuth", creating an adjective form to describe something related to or situated in relation to an azimuth.
Similar spelling word for AZIMUTHAL
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