backsight

Surveyor's backward reading

A backsight is a surveyor's reading taken on a point of known elevation, used to establish the height of the instrument before measuring other points.

The term also applies to the rear sight on a firearm—the one closest to the shooter's eye, used in conjunction with the front sight to aim: Align the backsight with the front sight and target.

surveying

theodolite

Precision angle-measuring instrument

transitMovement between places
levelingMaking flat or equal
benchmarkStandard for comparison

traverse · datum · elevation · tripod · rodman · chainman · stakeout · azimuth · angle measurement · baseline

firearms

iron sights

Fixed aiming posts on firearms

apertureAdjustable optical inlet
windageAir current interference
target acquisitionLocating and identifying an objective

aiming · scope · rifle · pistol · marksmanship · zero · notch · blade

hindsight

retrospect

Reflection on past events

reflectionReturned light or thought
reconsiderationRenewed evaluation of something
reassessmentRenewed evaluation of something

review · reappraisal · afterthought · second thought · wisdom · perspective · past · lessons learned · reexamination

Categories

surveyingsurveyor, theodolite, land surveys, survey markers, triangulation
control pointbenchmark, survey marker, checkpoint, reference point, monument
survey markerssurvey marker, boundary marker, boundary stone, corner post, rebar

Opposites

surveying direction

backsightforesight

Ability to anticipate futures

front sight · front post

Family

back, sight, insight, oversight, eyesight, foresight, backside, sighted, sighting

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G