Word of the Day 20 September 2026

resection

A method of determining a position by using a map and compass bearings for two additional points.

Why this one

Fixing your position by taking bearings to known points. The reverse of the usual survey problem, and older than any instrument.

In use

No signal in the valley, so I did a resection off the church spire and the water tower and got us within a few metres.

Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.

Sources