Ge"ode (j"d), n. [F. gÈode, L. geodes, fr. Gr. &?; earthlike; ge`a,
gh^, the earth + e'i^dos form.] (Min.) (a) A nodule of stone,
containing a cavity, lined with crystals or mineral matter. (b) The
cavity in such a nodule.
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Ge`o*deph"a*gous (j`*df"*gs), a. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, earth + 'adhfa`gos
eating one's fill; gluttonous.] (Zoˆl.) Living in the earth; -- applied
to the ground beetles.
{ Ge`o*des"ic (j`*ds"k), Ge`o*des"ic*al (-*kal), } a. [Cf. F.
gÈodÈsique.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to geodesy; geodetic.
Ge`o*des"ic, n. A geodetic line or curve.
Ge*od"e*sist (?), n. One versed in geodesy.
Ge*od"e*sy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; to divide: cf.
F. gÈodÈsie.] (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.
{ Ge`o*det"ic (?), Ge`o*det"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to
geodesy; obtained or determined by the operations of geodesy; engaged
in geodesy; geodesic; as, geodetic surveying; geodetic observers.
Geodetic line or curve, the shortest line that can be drawn between two
points on the elipsoidal surface of the earth; a curve drawn on any
given surface so that the osculating plane of the curve at every point
shall contain the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be
drawn on any surface between any two points.
Ge`o*det"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geodetic manner; according to geodesy.
Ge`o*det"ics (?), n. Same as Geodesy.
Ge`o*dif"er*ous (?), a. [Geode + -ferous.] (Min.) Producing geodes;
containing geodes.
Ge"o*duck (?), n. [American Indian name.] (Zoˆl.) A gigantic clam
(Glycimeris generosa) of the Pacific coast of North America, highly
valued as an article of food.
Ge`og*no"sis (?), n. [See Geognosy.] Knowledge of the earth. [R.] G.
Eliot.
Ge"og*nost (?), n. [Cf. F. gÈognoste.] One versed in geognosy; a
geologist. [R.]
{ Ge`og*nos"tic (?), Ge`og*nos"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈognostique.]
Of or pertaining to geognosy, or to a knowledge of the structure of the
earth; geological. [R.]
Ge*og"no*sy (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + gnw^sis knowing,
knowledge, fr. gignw`skein to know: cf. F. gÈognosie.] That part of
geology which treats of the materials of the earth's structure, and its
general exterior and interior constitution.
{ Ge`o*gon"ic (?), Ge`o*gon"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈogonique.] Of or
pertaining to geogony, or to the formation of the earth.
Ge*og"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; generation, birth,
fr. the root of &?; to be born: cf. F. gÈogonie.] The branch of science
which treats of the formation of the earth.
Ge*og"ra*pher (?), n. One versed in geography.
{ Ge`o*graph"ic (?), Ge`o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [L. geographicus, Gr.
&?;: cf. F. gÈographique.] Of or pertaining to geography.
Geographical distribution. See under Distribution. -- Geographic
latitude (of a place), the angle included between a line perpendicular
or normal to the level surface of water at rest at the place, and the
plane of the equator; differing slightly from the geocentric latitude
by reason of the difference between the earth's figure and a true
sphere. -- Geographical mile. See under Mile. -- Geographical
variation, any variation of a species which is dependent on climate or
other geographical conditions.
Ge`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geographical manner or method; according
to geography.
Ge*og"ra*phy (?), n.; pl. Geographies (#). [F. gÈographie, l.
geographia, fr. Gr. &?;; ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; description, fr.
&?; to write, describe. See Graphic.] 1. The science which treats of
the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion
of the earth, including its structure, features, products, political
divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.