Telescope vs. Theodolite — What's the Difference?

A telescope is an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe distant objects, or various devices used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. The first known practical telescopes were refracting telescopes invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century, by using glass lenses.

A theodolite is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but they are also used extensively for building and infrastructure construction, and some specialized applications such as meteorology and rocket launching.It consists of a moveable telescope mounted so it can rotate around horizontal and vertical axes and provide angular readouts.

An arrangement of lenses or mirrors or both that gathers light, permitting direct observation or photographic recording of distant objects.

An optical instrument consisting of a small mounted telescope rotatable in horizontal and vertical planes, used to measure angles in surveying.

Any of various devices, such as a radio telescope, used to detect and observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation.

A surveying instrument, consisting of a small mounted telescope, used to measure horizontal and vertical angles.

To cause to slide inward or outward in overlapping sections, as the cylindrical sections of a small hand telescope do.

An instrument used, especially in trigonometrical surveying, for the accurate measurement of horizontal angles, and also usually of vertical angles. It is variously constructed.

To make more compact or concise; condense.

A surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod

To slide inward or outward in or as if in overlapping cylindrical sections

A monocular optical instrument that magnifies distant objects, especially in astronomy.

Any instrument used in astronomy for observing distant objects (such as a radio telescope).

(television) A retractable tubular support for lights.

(ambitransitive) To extend or contract in the manner of a telescope.

(ambitransitive) To slide or pass one within another, after the manner of the sections of a small telescope or spyglass.

(intransitive) To come into collision, as railway cars, in such a manner that one runs into another.

To collapse, via cancellation.

An optical instrument used in viewing distant objects, as the heavenly bodies.

To slide or pass one within another, after the manner of the sections of a small telescope or spyglass; to come into collision, as railway cars, in such a manner that one runs into another; to become compressed in the manner of a telescope, due to a collision or other force.

To cause to come into collision, so as to telescope.

To shorten or abridge significantly; as, to telescope a whole semester's lectures into one week.

Capable of being extended or compacted, like a telescope, by the sliding of joints or parts one within the other; telescopic; as, a telescope bag; telescope table, etc.; - now more commonly replaced by the term telescoping.

A magnifier of images of distant objects

Crush together or collapse;

Make smaller or shorter;