transit instrument

noun
1.
Astronomy, meridian circle.
2.
Surveying, transit (def 6a).
Origin
1805-15
British Dictionary definitions for transit instrument

transit instrument

noun
1.
an astronomical instrument, mounted on an E-W axis, in which the reticle of a telescope is always in the plane of the meridian. It is used to time the transit of a star, etc, across the meridian