The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stadimeter \Sta*dim"e*ter\ (st[.a]*d[i^]m"[-e]*t[~e]r), n. A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.
Wiktionary
n. A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.
Wikipedia
A stadimeter is an optical device for estimating the range to an object of known height by measuring the angle between the top and bottom of the object as observed at the device. It is similar to a sextant, in that the device is using mirrors to measure an angle between two objects but differs in that one dials in the height of the object. It is one of several types of optical rangefinders, and does not require a large instrument, and so was ideal for hand-held implementations or installation in a submarine's periscope. A stadimeter is a type of analog computer.
Usage examples of "stadimeter".
Pilotfish picked its way toward the breakwater with stadimeter and pelorus.