English edit

Etymology edit

back +‎ sight

Noun edit

backsight (plural backsights)

  1. The rear sight of a firearm.
  2. (surveying) A measurement or reading taken back towards a point of known elevation, used to calculate the height of the surveying instrument (theodolite, transit, total station).
  3. (surveying) A measurement of a previously shot point, used to set the angle to zero when occupying a new position.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Verb edit

backsight (third-person singular simple present backsights, present participle backsighting, simple past and past participle backsighted)

  1. (surveying) To shoot a backsight.

See also edit