BIRECTANGULAR Meaning and
Definition
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Birectangular is an adjective that refers to a specific geometric arrangement or projection, particularly in cartography and map making. Derived from the two words "bi-" meaning two or dual, and "rectangular" referring to a four-sided figure with right angles, birectangular describes a map projection that combines aspects of both azimuthal and cylindrical projections.
A birectangular projection is created by placing a flattened sphere or ellipsoid on a two-dimensional surface such as a paper or a computer screen. It projects the Earth's surface onto this flat plane by dividing the globe into vertical bands or rectangles, usually of equal width, and then transforming these bands into a rectangular grid. The grid lines of latitude and longitude are typically equally spaced and intersect at right angles, allowing for accurate measurements of distances and angles.
The birectangular projection offers advantages and limitations depending on its intended use. It can provide a straightforward representation of the Earth's surface without significant distortion near the equator and at mid-latitudes. However, distortion increases towards the North and South poles, where the grid lines become compressed and converge towards a point. Consequently, birectangular projections are typically more suitable for thematic maps that prioritize accurate measurement and representation of local areas rather than global perspectives.
In conclusion, birectangular refers to a type of map projection that combines aspects of azimuthal and cylindrical projections, creating a rectangular grid that accurately represents specific regions of the Earth's surface while becoming increasingly distorted towards the poles.
Common Misspellings for BIRECTANGULAR
- virectangular
- nirectangular
- hirectangular
- girectangular
- burectangular
- bjrectangular
- bkrectangular
- borectangular
- b9rectangular
- b8rectangular
- bieectangular
- bidectangular
- bifectangular
- bitectangular
- bi5ectangular
- bi4ectangular
- birwctangular
- birsctangular
- birdctangular
Etymology of BIRECTANGULAR
The word "birectangular" is formed by combining two terms: "bi-" and "rectangular".
The prefix "bi-" derives from the Latin word "bis", meaning "twice" or "double". In English, the prefix is used to convey the notion of two or both. It can be found in various words such as "bilateral" (involving both sides), "biannual" (occurring twice a year), or "bilingual" (speaking two languages).
The term "rectangular" originates from the Latin word "rectangulus", which is a combination of "re-" (indicating repetition) and "angulus" (meaning "angle"). Hence, "rectangular" refers to a shape or object having right angles and straight sides, particularly four sides forming two pairs of parallel lines.
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