'stadia rod' definitions:

Definition of 'stadia rod'

From: GCIDE
  • Stadium \Sta"di*um\ (st[=a]"d[i^]*[u^]m), n.; pl. Stadia (st[=a]"d[i^]*[.a]). [L., a stadium (in sense 1), from Gr. sta`dion.]
  • 1. A Greek measure of length, being the chief one used for itinerary distances, also adopted by the Romans for nautical and astronomical measurements. It was equal to
  • 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, or 125 Roman paces, or to 606 feet 9 inches English. This was also called the {Olympic stadium}, as being the exact length of the foot-race course at Olympia. --Dr. W. Smith. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Hence: A race course; especially, the Olympic course for foot races. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence: A modern structure, with its inclosure, resembling the ancient stadium[2], used for athletic games which are typically played out-of-doors; such stadiums are usually large structures without roofs, though some modern stadiums may have a protective dome overhead. It may be contrasted with the arena, the term commonly used for smaller structures at which indoor games are played. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
  • 4. A kind of telemeter for measuring the distance of an object of known dimensions, by observing the angle it subtends; especially (Surveying), a graduated rod used to measure the distance of the place where it stands from an instrument having a telescope, by observing the number of the graduations of the rod that are seen between certain parallel wires (stadia wires) in the field of view of the telescope; -- also called stadia, and stadia rod. [1913 Webster]