ORTHODROMY Meaning and
Definition
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Orthodromy is a term derived from the Greek words "orthos," meaning straight or correct, and "dromos," meaning course or path. In a geographical context, orthodromy refers to the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface, traveling along a great circle, such as a line of longitude. It is also known as a geodesic or a great circle route.
The concept of orthodromy relies on the Earth being considered a sphere, and assumes that the two points being connected are not located at polar opposite ends. The shortest distance between such points lies on the surface of a great circle, which is the largest circle that can be formed on a sphere. This distance is often different from the straight-line distance on a two-dimensional map, known as the rhumb line or loxodrome.
Orthodromy is particularly useful in navigation and aviation, as it allows for fuel-efficient routes and precise calculations of distances and flight times. It is also relevant in marine navigation, allowing sailors to determine the shortest path between two points when factoring in the curvature of the Earth.
In summary, orthodromy refers to the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface, following a great circle route. It is a concept utilized in various fields, such as navigation and cartography, and relies on the Earth's spherical shape to calculate precise distances.
Common Misspellings for ORTHODROMY
- irthodromy
- krthodromy
- lrthodromy
- prthodromy
- 0rthodromy
- 9rthodromy
- oethodromy
- odthodromy
- ofthodromy
- otthodromy
- o5thodromy
- o4thodromy
- orrhodromy
- orfhodromy
- orghodromy
- oryhodromy
- or6hodromy
- or5hodromy
- ortgodromy
- ortbodromy
Etymology of ORTHODROMY
The word "Orthodromy" is composed of two Greek roots: "ortho" and "dromos".
The root "ortho" (ὀρθός) means "straight" or "correct" in Greek. It is commonly used in words related to straightness or correctness, such as "orthodox" meaning "correct belief" or "straight teaching", or "orthodontics" meaning "straight teeth".
The root "dromos" (δρόμος) means "way" or "path" in Greek. It is related to "drama", which originally referred to the path or course taken by an actor on stage.
When combined, "ortho" and "dromos" create "Orthodromy", which refers to the most direct or shortest route between two points on a sphere or a curved surface.
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