We have different prospects of the same thing,
according to our different positions to it. --Locke.
2. The spot where a person or thing is placed or takes a
place; site; place; station; situation; as, the position
of man in creation; the fleet changed its position.
3. Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or
controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds
to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis
of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's
position; to appear in a false position.
Let not the proof of any position depend on the
positions that follow, but always on those which go
before. --I. Watts.
4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a
person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's
position.
5. (Arith.) A method of solving a problem by one or two
suppositions; -- called also the {rule of trial and
error}.
{Angle of position} (Astron.), the angle which any line (as
that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line,
specifically with a circle of declination.
{Double position} (Arith.), the method of solving problems by
proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to
the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the
difference of the results with those of the numbers,
deducing the correction to be applied to one of them to
obtain the true result.
{Guns of position} (Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed
for quick movements.
{Position finder} (Mil.), a range finder. See under {Range}.
{Position micrometer}, a micrometer applied to the tube of an
astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in
the field of view.
{Single position} (Arith.), the method of solving problems,
in which the result obtained by operating with an assumed
number is to the true result as the number assumed is to
the number required.
{Strategic position} (Mil.), a position taken up by an army
or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of
checking or observing an opposing force.
Syn: Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture;
proposition; assertion; thesis.
Into the utmost angle of the world. --Spenser.
To search the tenderest angles of the heart.
--Milton.
2. (Geom.)
(a) The figure made by. two lines which meet.
(b) The difference of direction of two lines. In the lines
meet, the point of meeting is the vertex of the angle.
3. A projecting or sharp corner; an angular fragment.
Though but an angle reached him of the stone.
--Dryden.
4. (Astrol.) A name given to four of the twelve astrological
``houses.'' [Obs.] --Chaucer.
5. [AS. angel.] A fishhook; tackle for catching fish,
consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a
rod.
Give me mine angle: we 'll to the river there.
--Shak.
A fisher next his trembling angle bears. --Pope.
{Acute angle}, one less than a right angle, or less than
90[deg].
{Adjacent} or {Contiguous angles}, such as have one leg
common to both angles.
{Alternate angles}. See {Alternate}.
{Angle bar}.
(a) (Carp.) An upright bar at the angle where two faces of
a polygonal or bay window meet. --Knight.
(b) (Mach.) Same as {Angle iron}.
{Angle bead} (Arch.), a bead worked on or fixed to the angle
of any architectural work, esp. for protecting an angle of
a wall.
{Angle brace}, {Angle tie} (Carp.), a brace across an
interior angle of a wooden frame, forming the hypothenuse
and securing the two side pieces together. --Knight.
{Angle iron} (Mach.), a rolled bar or plate of iron having
one or more angles, used for forming the corners, or
connecting or sustaining the sides of an iron structure to
which it is riveted.
{Angle leaf} (Arch.), a detail in the form of a leaf, more or
less conventionalized, used to decorate and sometimes to
strengthen an angle.
{Angle meter}, an instrument for measuring angles, esp. for
ascertaining the dip of strata.
{Angle shaft} (Arch.), an enriched angle bead, often having a
capital or base, or both.
{Curvilineal angle}, one formed by two curved lines.
{External angles}, angles formed by the sides of any
right-lined figure, when the sides are produced or
lengthened.
{Facial angle}. See under {Facial}.
{Internal angles}, those which are within any right-lined
figure.
{Mixtilineal angle}, one formed by a right line with a curved
line.
{Oblique angle}, one acute or obtuse, in opposition to a
right angle.
{Obtuse angle}, one greater than a right angle, or more than
90[deg].
{Optic angle}. See under {Optic}.
{Rectilineal} or {Right-lined angle}, one formed by two right
lines.
{Right angle}, one formed by a right line falling on another
perpendicularly, or an angle of 90[deg] (measured by a
quarter circle).
{Solid angle}, the figure formed by the meeting of three or
more plane angles at one point.
{Spherical angle}, one made by the meeting of two arcs of
great circles, which mutually cut one another on the
surface of a globe or sphere.
{Visual angle}, the angle formed by two rays of light, or two
straight lines drawn from the extreme points of an object
to the center of the eye.
{For Angles of commutation}, {draught}, {incidence},
{reflection}, {refraction}, {position}, {repose}, {fraction},
see {Commutation}, {Draught}, {Incidence}, {Reflection},
{Refraction}, etc.