“ Meridian altitude of the sun or of a star, altitude when on the meridian of the place where it is observed. Meridian distance of a point, the distance from the point to some assumed meridian, generally the one drawn through the extreme E. or W. point of the survey. Meridian of a globe, the brazen circle in which it turns and by which it is supported; also meridian lines drawn on the globe itself, generally at a distance of 15°. Terrestrial meridian, the terrestrial meridian of any place on the earth's surface is a great circle passing through both of the earth's poles and the place. ”