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A measure of land, 160 square rods (4,480 square yards; 43,560 square feet) in whatever shape. 208.7103’ square.
The difference in direction between two convergent lines. It may be classed as horizontal, vertical, oblique, spherical, or spheroidal, according to whether it is measured in a horizontal, vertical, or inclined plane, or in a curved surface.
An old measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch.
A surveyed line established with more than usual care, to which surveys are referred for coordination and correlation.
The direction of one point or object, with respect to another, where the direction of the line is expressed by the acute angle with respect to a reference meridian. The reference direction can be North or South and the meridian may be assumed, grid, magnetic, astronomic, or geodetic. Typical bearings are N 60º, 10’E, S 31º 17’ W, N 17º 22’ W.
A relatively permanent material object, natural or artificial, bearing a marked point whose elevation above or below an adopted datum is known. Usually designated as a B.M., such a mark is sometimes qualified as a P.B.M. (permanent bench mark) to distinguish it from a T.B.M. (temporary or supplementary bench mark) which is a mark of less permanent character intended to serve for only a comparatively short period of time.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground. Where is impracticable to establish a monument on or very close to a boundary line, the position of the boundary line on the ground is preserved by reference marks. The term monument is sometimes used to include both the mark on the boundary line and the reference mark.
The directions on the surface of the earth-north, south, east, and west. The term, cardinal, without qualification, is sometimes used to indicate any or all of the above directions, the context giving the exact meaning to its use.
A unit of length used in the subdivision of public lands of the United States. The Gunter’s chain is 66 feet long and is divided into 100 links each 7.92 inches long. (Early chains were 50 links, or 33 feet in length.) In its earliest construction the chain was made from iron (later, heavy steel wire) in short pieces which were bent at the end to form rings; three extra rings were placed in between the pieces, each assembly to make up 1 whole link, or 7.92 inches. There are many wearing surfaces and other ready causes for errors in length. The link chain was not superseded by the steel ribbon tape, in general practice, until after 1900. The chain is a convenient length for land measurement because 10 square chains = 1 acre.
The body of judicial decisions developed in England and based upon immemorial usage. It is unwritten law as opposed to statute, or written, law. The English common law forms the foundation for the system of law in the United States.
A measure of length, in its origin the length of the forearm, from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger; in English measure, 18 inches (45.72 cm.). The ancient Egyptian cubit was 20.7 inches (52.5 cm.), and the ancient Roman cubit 17.5 inches (44.36 cm.). The usual cubit of the ancient Greeks is stated to have been 18.22 inches (46.29 cm.), and of the Hebrews, 17.58 inches (44.65cm.). The cubit is also known as the hath in India; covid, in the East; codo in Spain; hasta in the ancient Hindu system, etc.
Any numerical or geometrical quantity or set of such quantities which may serve as a reference or base for other quantities. For a group of statistical references, the plural form is data-as geographic data for a list of latitudes and longitudes. Where the concept is geometrical and particular, rather than statistical and inclusive, the plural form is datums, as, for example, two geodetic datums have been used in the United States in recent years.
A determination of mean sea level that has been adopted as a standard datum for heights or elevations. The Sea Level Datum of 1929, the current standard datum for geodetic leveling in the United States, is based on tidal observations over a number of years at various tide stations along the coasts.
*All definitions taken from "Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms"
prepared by a joint committee of the American Congress on
Surveying and Mapping and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
1978 (Rev.) Reprinted to 1989
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