What is "geodesy"

Geodesy \Ge*od"e*sy\, n. [Gr. ?; ge`a, gh^, the earth + ? to divide: cf. F. g['e]od['e]sie.] (Math.) That branch of applied mathematics which determines, by means of observations and measurements, the figures and areas of large portions of the earth's surface, or the general figure and dimenshions of the earth; or that branch of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account, as in the surveys of States, or of long lines of coast.

1560s, "surveying," from Modern Latin geodaesia, from Greek geodaisia "division of the earth;" ultimately from ge "earth" (see Gaia) + stem of daiein "divide."

n. (lb el sciences geography) The discipline which deals with the measurement and representation of (l en Earth), its (l en gravitational) field and (l en geodynamic) phenomena (polar motion, Earth tides, and crustal motion) in three-dimensional, time-varying space

n. the branch of geology that studies the shape of the earth and the determination of the exact position of geographical points

Geodesy , — also known as geodetics, geodetic engineering or geodetics engineering — a branch of applied mathematics and earth sciences, is the scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the Earth (or any planet), including its gravitational field, in a three-dimensional time-varying space. Geodesists also study geodynamical phenomena such as crustal motion, tides, and polar motion. For this they design global and national control networks, using space and terrestrial techniques while relying on datums and coordinate systems.