Surveying Glossary

•  Tags: Surveying Glossary

A

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• Accepted Survey  -  A survey accepted by the official having cadastral survey approval authority.
• Access  -  The right to enter and leave over the lands of another.
• Adjacent  -  Near to but not reaching or contacting.
• Adjoiner  -  To owner of land which touches the land of another.
• Adjoining  -  To be in contact with, touching or contiguous.
• Altitude  - The height of a vertical angle from the horizon.
• Angle  -  Two rays sharing a common point.
• Angle  -   Total cord length, or long chord of a circular curve.  A line segment on the interior of a circle.
• Arc Definition  -  The subtended angle of an arc.
• Angle Point  -  A point in a survey where the alinement of boundary deflects from a straight line.
• Arc  -  A sector is a fraction of the area of a circle.
• Arc Definition  -  The degree of the curve (D) is the angle formed by two radii drawn from the center of the circle to the ends of the arc.
• Arc Length of a Circle  -  Total length of any circular curve measured along the arc.
• Area Cross-section  -  A two-dimension plane slice of a three-dimension plane.
• Asbuilt Survey  -  A survey that is done after the completion of a construction project.
• Assumed Meridian  -  On certain types of localized surveys, it may not be necessary to establish a true, magnetic, or grid direction.
• Assumed North  - North by arbitary definition and/or reference.
• Azimith  -  A line on the ground is its horizontal angle measured from the meridian to the line.

B

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• Backsight  -  A sight on a previously established survey point before the level is moved.
• Back of Curb  -
• Back Tangent  -  The tangent line before the beginning of the curve.
• Baseline  -  The east-west line that divides townships.
• Base Map  - A map which contains the fundamental framework necessary for geographic reference and positionong of information that may be drawn on it.
• Bearing  -  An angle in degrees measured clockwise from north.
• Bearing Tree  - A marked tree used as a corner.  Its distance and direction are recorded from the corner.
• Beginning of Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Beginning of Vertical Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Benchmark  -  A relatively fixed point whose coordinates and elevation datum are used for leveling and construction.
• Blaze  -  A mark made upon a tree trunk.
• Boundary  -
• Boundary Line  -  A line of demarcation between adjoining parcels of land.
• Boundary Monument  -  An object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and identify the location of the boundary line.
• Boundary Survey  -  A mathematically closed diagram of the complete outside boundary of a site.
• Bounds  -  A general description of buildings, property, roads, and etc. used in legal documents.
• Branch  -  Small stream.
• Broken Boundary  -  A series of line segments representing a boundary which is not a straight line.
• Brook  -  Small stream.
• Bug  -  A magnetic locator to search for an iron pipe.
• By Implication Easement  -  The general rule of law is that when an owner of a tract of land conveys part of it to another, he is said to grant by implication, all easements which are apparent, obvious and reasonable.

C 

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• Cadastral Survey  -  A survey that is carried out to describe boundaries and land ownership.
• Call  -  Any feature, landmark, or measurement called out in a survey.
• Cap  -  A metal of plastic cover on the end of a rebar or pipe.
• Capped Iron Pin  - 
• Capped Rebar  -  A rebar 18" long, 1/2" diameter, with a cap having the company name and license number stamped into it.
• Celestial Meridian  -  The largest circle of the celestial sphere passing through the celestial poles and an observer's zenith.
• Center of Curve  -
• Center Line  -
• Central Angle  -  The angle formed by two radii drawn from the center of the circle (0) to PC and PT.
• Certified Survey Map  -
• Certification  - A document which attests to the truth or authenticity of papers attached to it.
• Chaining  -  The measuring a distance using a chain or tape.
• Chord (c)  -  Chord length between any two points on a circular curve.
• Chord Definition  -  The subtended angle of an chord.
• Chord of a Circle  -  Is the between any two points on a circular curve.
• Certificate of Title  -
• Clay  -  Particles ranging in size from 0.002 mm and smaller.
• Closed Loop  -  A series of consecutive measurements that close on the beginning point.
• Closed Traverse  -  A series of consecutive measured lines that start at a known point and ends at the same known point or another point that is known.
• Closing Corner  -  A corner established where a survey line intersects a previous fixed boundary at a point between corners.
• Closure  -  The process of measurement in a closed figure for a check on horizontal and vertical percision.
• Collapse Slump  -  The fresh concrete collapses completely.
• Compass  - A magnetic compass has a magnetic needle that points north.
• Constant Error  -  An error that always occures with the same sign and magnitude.
• Control Station  -  Point on the ground whose position, horizontal or vertical, is known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
• Cotton Spindle Found  -
• Cotton Spindle Set  -
• Closed Joint  -  A joint that is invisible or barely visible between two adjacent slabs or stones.
• Compass Bearing  -  Uses magnetic north as a reference point.
• Concrete Monument Found  -  A permanent marker set by a land surveyor to reference controll points or property corners.
• Conditional Line  -  An agreed line between neighbors that has not been surveyed, or which has been surveyed but not yet granted.
• Construction Survey  -  Surveying measurements made before or while the site is under construction.
• Contour  - Defined line of equal elecation on a map or plat.
• Contour Interval  - The difference in elevation between adjacent contours as shown on a map.
• Contour Line  -  An imaginary line on the ground having all points on the same elevation.
• Contour Map  -  A map that illustrates relief by means of contour lines. 
• Contours  - Lines joining points of equal elevation as shown on a topographic map.
• Control  - Surveying and mapping reference infrastructure.
• Control Corner   -
• Control Points  - Fixed points of known coordinates.
• Convey  -  The act of deeding or transfering title to another.
• Coordinate System  -  A grid where the axes are apart 90 degrees.
• Coordinates  -  Two lines, latitude and longitude that intersect creating a point.
• Corner  -  The location of intersecting boundary lines.
• Corner Description  -  The specific data, both new and old, about a corner monument and its accessories which include marks, positions, and physical characteristics.
  
• Cotton Spindle  -  A 6" to 8" spindle used where you would typically use an iron pipe or rebar as a momument.
• Cotton Spindle Set  -
• Course  -  Line or boundary defined by bearing and distance.
• Creek  -  Small stream.
• Culvert  -  A pipe or tunnel that carrys a stream under a road or highway.
• Curb & Gutter  -

D

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• Data Collector  -  A handheld electronic field notebook.
• Datum  -  An abstract coordinate system used to reference a known location.
• Datum Shift  -  A graphical correction required where the source map data is on a different datum than the map under revision.
• Decision Sight Distance  -  The distance for a motorist to decide.
• Declination  -  The difference between geographic north (true) and magnetic north.
• Deed  -  A document that transfers title to real property.
• Deep Well  -  A well that draws water from beneath an impermeable stratum.
• Deflection Angle  -  Deflection angle from full circular curve measured from tangent at PC or PT.   The angles between a tangent and the ends of the chords from the PC.
• Deflection Circular Curve  -  The deflection angle for a full circular angle measures from tangent at PC or PT.
• Degree of Curve -  The flatness or shapeness of the curve.
• Degree of Curvature  -  Can either be degree of arc or chord.
• Departure  -  Longitudal interval between points.
• Depression Contour  -  A contour forming a closed loop around lower ground.
• Differential Leveling  -  The leveling process of determining the difference in elevation between two poinrs.
• Digital Image  -  An image composed of small, uniformly shaped regions each of which have assigned coordinates and color.
• Digital Map  -  A process of generating a map using computer processed data.
• Drainage Easement  -  The right of water run off in a subdivision or highway routed onto adjacent land.

E

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• Easement  -  The legal right to use another persons personal property to a specific limited use.
• Easement Survey  -  Prepared between parties to allow the use of part of an allotment.
• East Boundary Line  - 
• Easting  -  Coordinate value by longitudinal reference.
• Edge of Pavement  -
• EDM  -  Electromagnetic Distance Measurement device.
• Egress  -  The right to go on the land of another.
• Elevation  -  A vertical distance up or down from a fixed point.
• Elevation Survey  -  Used to determine the elevation of a structure and it's relationship to the floorplan.
• Ellicott's Control Survey  -  The meridian northward from the point of beginning of the United States cadastral survey.  A point established on August 20, 1785on the north bank of the Ohio River.
• Encroachment  -  An unlawful and adverse intrusion within the boundary of a property.
• Encrumbrance  -  Any right to or intrest in land which makes it subject to a change or liability.
• End of Curve  -  The point at which a curved line ends and the point tangency to the curve begins.
• End of Vertical Curve  -  The point at which a curved line ends and the point tangency to the curve begins.
• Entry  -  An application to acquire title to public lands.
• Entry Allowed  -  An application to acquire title to public lands which has been approved, either as an origional entry or a final entry.
• Entryman  -  One who makes an entry of land under the public land laws of the United States.
• Erosion  -  The natural wearing away of the earth's surface by rainfall and surface runoff.
• Existing Corner  -  A corner whose position can be identified by verifying the evidence of the monument or its accessories, by reference to the description that is container in the field notes.
• Existing Iron Pipe  -
• Expert Witness  -  A person who testifies as what he has observed by sight, sound, etc.
• Exterior Angle  -  Formed by intersecting lines of a polygon or land parcel boundaries.
• External Distance  -  The distance from the PI to the midpoint of the curve.

F

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• Face of Curb  -
• Federal Land  -  All classes of land owned by the Federal Government.
• Fee Tail  -  An estimate limited to one class of heirs.
• Field Notes  -  A permanent record of field procedures and data collected in those procedures.
• Final Certificate  -  A document which evidences that an entryman is entitled to a patent provided that no irregularities are found in connection with his entry.
• Final Entry  -  When an application to acquire title to public lands has been filed in the proper manner and all the requirements of law and government regulations have been complied with.
• First Station  -  Point of beginning (POB)
• Floodplain  -  The land area adjacent to a river, stream, lake, or other body of water that is subject to flooding.
• Flowage Easement  -  The right a person or group has to flood water on land of another.
• Forward Tangent  -  The tangent line after the ending of the curve.
• Fount  -
• Found Concrete Monument  -
• Found Corner  -  An existing corner on a public land survey found by a field survey.
• Free and Clear  -  Is not encumbered by any lien.
• Furlong  -  A distance of 220 yards or 40 poles.

G

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• Geodesy  -  The science and mathmatical calculations of the shape and size of the earth.
• Geodetic Control  -  A system of monumented stations having known, percise positions established by geodetic methods.
• Geodetic Position  -  A position of a point on the surface of the earth expressed in terms of geodetic latitude and longitude.
• Geodetic Survey  -  A percise survey that takes in long distances showing shape of the world.
• Geometry  -  A branch of mathematics that deals with shapes and their properties or relationships to circles, lines, points, etc.  These relationships can be expressed in plane geometry, two-dimensional figures and solid geometry, three-dimensional figures.
• Ginney  -  A wooden dowel 6-9 inches in length with a sharpened end, set in the ground to mark survey points.
• GIS Mapping, See (LIS)  -  Geographic Information System is used to locate items like utilities.
• Gore  -  A thin triangular piece of land.
• Grade  -  A rise or decline in elevation.
• Gradient  -  The rate of rise and fall.
• Grid  -  A group of parallel lines that run perpendicular to another group of parallel perpendicular lines.
• Grid Azimuth  -  Measured from grid north.
• Grid Bearing  -  The northwards direction along the grid lines of a map used as a reference point.
• Grid Distance  -  The distance between two points using mapping coordinates.
• Grid Meridian  -  In plane surveys it is convenient to perform the work in a rectangular XY coordinate system in which one central meridial concides with a true meridian.
• Grid North  -  The direction of the north-south grid lines on a state plane coordinate system.
• Grid Position  -  The grid coordinates of a point.
• Ground Distance  -  The horizontal distance with curvature between two ground points.
• Gunter's Chain  - A distance of 66 feet or 4 poles.

H

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• Half Section  -  Containing more or less 360 acres.
• Head  -  The source of a stream.
• Headwaters  -  The smallest streams that combine to make a larger stream.
• Height  -  Length of radius from radius center to midpoint of chord.
• Height  -  Length of radius from midpoint of chord to point on circular curve.
• High Point  -  Point on circular curve.
• High Water  -  The maximum height reached by rising water.
• Hinge Point  -  The point at which a fill slope stops and the road or shoulder grade begins.
• Horizontal  -  Parallel to a flat or level surface of the earth.
• Horizontal Distance  -  The distance horizontally between two points.
• Horizontal Line  -  A line extending left or right but not up or down.
• Horizontal Position  -  A point with horizontal coordinates only.
• Hydrography  -  Features including lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, and other water features.

I                                                                                                                                              

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• In Gross Easement  -  Does not benifit any other land, such as a utility right-of-way.
• Indemnity Lands  -  Alternate lands granted to states under the public land laws when granted lands were unaviallable.
• Ingress  -  The right to enter a tract of land.
• Intersecting Angle  -  The deflection angle at the PI.
• Intersection Sight Distance  -  The distance a motorist should be able to see other traffic in the intersection in order to enter safetly.
• Investigative Survey  -  A peliminary survey made to determine the physical condition of existing Cadastral Survey evidence.
• Iron Pipe/Pin  -  A pipe 18" long, 3/4" outside diameter, with a plastic cap set inside having the company name and license number stamped into it.
• Iron Pipe/Pin Found  -
• Iron Pipe/Pin Set  -
• Isopleth Line  -  Line joining points on the earth's surface having equal magnetic declination as of a given date.

J

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• Junction Box  -
• Junior Corner  -  A corner which is part of a survey occuring at a date subsequent to a prior (senior) survey.
• Junior Rights  -  Subordinate to the senior rights.
• Junior Survey  -  A survey made subsequent to an earlier survet.

K

L

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• Laches  -  Failure to do something which should be done or to claim or enforce a right at a proper time.
• Landmark  -  A marker made on a permanent feature of the land like rocks, trees, etc.
• Land Court  -  A tribunal established for the purpose of administering legislative statutes relating to land boundaries and titles.
• Land District  -  The area administered by a particular land office.
• Land Office  -  A government office, subordinate to the General Land Office.
• Land Survey  -  The act of surveying to establish the correct property description or establish land boundaries.
• Latitude  -  Angular arc distance north and south of the equator along a meridian of longitude.
• League  -  A marine measure of distance.
• Legend  -  A description, explanation or table of symbols on a map or chart to permit a better understanding or interpretation of it.
• Length  -  Total length of any circular curve measured along the arc.
• Length of Curve  -  The distance from PC to PT.
• Levee  -  Artificial embankment confining a channel, stream, or body of water.
• Leveling  -  Using a graduated rod to establish difference in heights of the terrain.
• Licensed/Land Surveyor #  -
• LiDAR (Aerial Survey)  -  A survey using remote sensors of light reflected by lasers to measure distances.
• Limited Boundary  -  The boundary of lands actually surveyed.
• Line of Sight  -  The line extended from an instrument along which distinct objects can be seen.
• LIS Mapping  -  Land Information System is used to locate items like utilities.
• Local Corner  -  Physical evidence accepted by local land owners to be a corner of the public lands survey.
• Long Chord  -  A straight line from the beginning of the curve PC to the end of the arc PT.
• Long Chord Bearing  -  The bearing of the long chord.
• Longitude  -  Angular arc distance east and west of the Prime Meridian along a parallel of latitude.
• Loop Closure  -  A statistical procedure to evaluate the internal consistency of a GPS network.
• Loop Traverse  -  A traverse that starts and closes on the same point, point of beginning.
• Lost Corner  -  A corner whose position cannot be determined.
• Low Point  -  Point on circular curve.

M

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• Mag  -  New concrete nails that are magnetic nails and are stamped with MAG on the head, easier to find with metal detector.
• Magnetic Bearing  -  The direction toward the magnetic north pole as a reference point.
• Magnetic Concrete Nail  -  Stamped on top of nail.  Makes them easier to be found by metal detectors.
• Magnetic Meridian  -  Lies parallel with the magnetic lines of force of the earth.
• Magnetic North  -  The direction in which a magnetic needle of a compass points.
• Map  -  A representation of the earth's surface.
• Map Scale  -  A relationship between the distance on the map compared to the distance on the earth's surface.
• Meander  -  Meander of something.  A line follows the twists and turns of a stream.
• Mean Bearing  -  The average of the foreward and the back bearing of a straight line.
• Mean Error  -  An ambiguous term sometimes used to denote average error.
• Mean Sea Level  -  The average height of the surface of the sea.
• Meander Line  -  The traverse run at the line of mean highwater of a permanent natural body of water.
• Merestone  -  A stone that marks a boundary.
• Meridian  -  Imaginary north-south lines converging at the north and south poles.
• Metes  -  A boundary defined by the measurement between terminal points of each straight run used in legal documents.
• Metes and Bounds  -  The boundary lines of land with angles and points used in legal documents.
• Mid-point  -  Center or halfway point of a line segment.
• Middle Ordinate  -  The distance from the midpoint of the curve to the mid-point of the long chord.
• Minimum Building Setback  -  The minimum requirement for a building limits.
• Monument  -  A permanent marker set by a land surveyor to reference controll points or property corners.
• Mouth  -  A place where a stream enters another larger stream.

N

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• No Monument Set  -
• North Boundary Line  -
• Northing  -  Coordinate value by latitudal reference.

O

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• Observed  -
• Offset  -  Right angles to the survey line measured horizontal to locate a point off the line.
• Offset Line  -  A line that is close to and roughly parallel to the main line.
• Open Traverse  -  A traverse that originates at a known position and ends at an unknown position.
• Origin  -  The point in a system of coordinates which serves as an initial point of computing and where x=0 and y=0.
• Original Entry  -  When application to acquire title to public lands and the applicant is permitted to proceed with earning title to the lands under the governing laws and regulations.
• Outlot  -  Sub-standard land parcel or platted land remnant.

P

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• Parcel  -  An area of land defined by measurement.
• Passing Sight Distance  -  The distance a motorist should be able to observe the trafic in order to pass safetly.
• Percolation & Soils Testing  -  A field test measuring the rate water moves through soil and helps evaluate the ability of the soil to absorb.
• Photogrammrtry Surveying (Aerial Survey)  -  A survey that takes photographs from elevated ground stations.
• Plane Coordinates  -  Coordinates that represent the location of points on a plane.
• Plane Survey  -  A survey in which the effect of the curvature of the earth is not relevant.
• Plat  -  A drawing that represents the survey area such as section corners, bearings and distances, parcel numbers, mineral rights, etc.
• Plat Book  -
• Point  -  Spatial location without defined dimensions.
• Point Known  - 
• Point of Beginning  -  In a survey it describe the point at which a meets and bounds description begins.
• Point of Circular Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Point of Commencement  -
• Point of Compound Curvature  -  A point where curves of different radii meet.
• Point of Curvature  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve
• Point of Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Point of Ending  -  In a survey it description to describe the point at which a meets and bounds description ends.
• Point of Intersection  -  The intersection of two tangent points or where two non-parallel lines intersect.
• Point of Reverse Curve  -  The point in an S-type compound curve where two curves of different polarity meet.
• Point of Tangent  -  The point at which a curved line ends and the point tangency to the curve begins.
• Point of Rangent Curve  -  The point at which a curve ends and a straight line begins.
• Point of Vertical Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Point of Vertical Intersection  -  The intersection of two tangent points or where two non-parallel lines intersect.
• Point of Vertical Tangent  -  The point at which a curved line ends and the point tangency to the curve begins.
• Point on Curve  -
• Point on Line  -  When the endpoint can not be seen from the transit.
• Point on Tangent  -
• Possession  -  Exercise of the right to use real property to the exclusion of others.
• Prime Meridian  -  The initial or zero meridian of imaginary north-south lines converging at the north and south poles.
• Prime Vertical  -  The largest circle at right angles to the celestial meridian of imaginary east-west lines.
• Principle Meridian  -  Line separating east and west PLSS ranges.
• Private Claim  -  Legal foreign nation land grant, claim or tital transfer, not included by origional PLSS survey.
• Property Identification Number  -
• Property Line  -  Defines the line where properties begin and end.
• Public Drainage Easement  -  Allows public utilities to acces a persons property to make any improvements to drainage as necessary.
• Public Land Survey System  -
• Public Right-of-way  -  It is usually used to describe highways or public roads where every citizen has the right to their use.
• Pythagorean Theorem  -  The hypotenuse is the sum of the squares of the other two sides in a right triangle.

Q

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• Quarter Corner  -  A corner halfway between the corners of a section.
• Quarter Section  -  Containing more or less 160 acres.

R

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• Radial Line  -
• Radius  -  Half the diameter of a circle.
• Radius of a Circular Curve  -  The circle of which the curve is an arc.
• Radius Point  -  Radius center point of circular curve.
• Range  -  North/south tier of PLSS townships. 
• Rebar and Cap  -  A rebar 18" long, 1/2" diameter, with a cap having the company name and license number stamped into it.
• Rebar Found  -
• Reference Mark  -  A point or object which is measured to or from a monument for the purpose of being able to relocate the monument if it is lost.
• Reverse Curve  -
• Right Triangle  -  Has one side a right 90° interior angle.
• Riparian Law  -  The branch of law which deals with the rights in land bordering on a river, lake dor sea.
• Riparian Rights  -  The rights of an owner of land bordering on a river, lake, bayou, or sea which relates to the water, ownership of the shore, right of ingress and egress, accretions, etc.
• Right-of-Way  -  The legal right to cross the property of another person.
• River  -  Large stream.
• Rodman  -  A person that holds the rod with an EDM.

S

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• Section  -  Containing more or less 640 acres, a division of a township.
• Section Corner  -  A corner at the extreme section boundary.
• Segment of a Circle  -  An interior part of a circle bound by a chord and an arc.
• Setback Line  -  The distance from the property line or other established line within which no buildings may be constructed.
• Set Concrete Monument  -
• Set Disk  -
• Set Iron Rod  -
• Set Mag  -
• Silt  -  Particles ranging in size from 0.002 mm to 0.05 mm.
• Simple Circular Curve  -  Simple circular curve is a curve that does not cross itself.
• Site Plan  -  A prepared plan used to get approval to construct some type of structure on a piece of property.
• Slurry  -  The measurement of the height loss from a compacted cone of fresh concrete.
• South Boundary Line  -
• Spiral Curve  -
• Spring  -  A pool or other sourceof water that feeds a stream.
• Standard Corner  -  A senior corner on a standard parallel or base line.
• Standard Deviation  -  The average amount of variation in a set of data points.
• State Plane Coordinate System  -  A coordinate systen having perpendicular lines going north to south and east to west.  It is only used in the US.
• Stopping Sight Distance  -  The distance traveled by a vehical from the time it is observer to the time it comes to a stop.
• Sub-chord  -  A chord shorter than the normal chord.
• Subdivision Survey  -  This survey that is used to divide a parcel into smaller parcles.
• Survey  -  The field note record of measurements and observations of the work performed.
• Survey Easement  -  The description, portrayal, or monumentation of easement(s) only.
• Swamp  -  Wetlands that features permanent large areas of land with shallow bodies of water that include a large amount of trees.

T

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• Tangent  -  A line that touches a curve at just one point such that it is perpendicular to a radius line of the curve.
• Tangent Length  -  Length along the tangents from PI to PC or PT.
• Tangent Point  -  Point on the tangent line.
• Thermal Expansion Coefficient  -  The percentage change in the length of the material per degree of temperature change, heated solid or liquid.
• Temporary Benchmark  -
• Tie Line  -  A survey line that connects a point to other surveyed lines.
• Tie Point  -  The point where the survey connection is made.
• Toe  -  Lowest or bottom edge of a land bank or slope.
• Toe of Slope  -  The bottom or base of incline.
• Topographical Map  -  A detailed map that represents graphically the earth's features.
• Topographical Survey  -  A survey to determine land structure along with the variation in land heights.
• Township  -  A quadrangle having sides approximatelly 6 miles in length with parallels and medians.
• Township Corner  -  A corner at the extreme township boundary that also falls on a section corner.
• Township Lines  - Boundary lines that run north and south and stop at range lines.
• Traverse  -  A sequence of randomly located distance and angles between measured survey lines and points in order to locate something or set property corners.
• Triangle  -  All triangles have three angles and three sides.
• Triangulation  -  A survey using numerous triangles are inter-connected and overlapping to measure angles.
• Trig Functions  - 
• True Bearing  -  The direction toward the geographic north pole as a reference point.
• True Meridian (Astronomical)  -  A plane passing through a point on the surface of the earth and containing the earth's axis of rotation.
• True North  -  A direction parallel to the earth's axis pointing to the north pole.
• Turn Angle  -  Using an instrument to measure or set an angle.
• Turning Points  -  Temporary points of a known elevation.

U

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• Underground  -
• Unrecorded Deed  -  A conveyance of title not registered or recorded according to state statutes.
• Unsurveyed Lands  -  Lands not yet surveyed.
• Upland  -  Ground elevated above the lowlands along rivers.
• U.S Survey  -  A metes and bounds survey excuted to comply with one of various regulations for entry of public lands.
• Utility Easement  -

V

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• Vertical Angle  -  Angular measurement in a vertical plane.
• Vertical Point of Curve  -  The point at which a straight line begins to curve, the point tangency to the curve.
• Vertical Point of Intersection  -  The intersection of two tangent points or where two non-parallel lines intersect.

W

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• Warrant  -  A promise that a statement is true.
• Water Course  -  A visible channel for water such as a channel, ditch, streambed, or etc.
• Way  -  A road, street or other passage.
• Waypoint  -  A two dimensional coordinate destination to be reached by GPS navigation. 
• Wildlife Refuge  -  A reserve for the protection of wildlife.
• Witness Point  - A monumented station on a line of the survey used to perpetutate an important location without special relation to any regular corner.
• Witness Corner  -  When a property corner can not be set at a corner, a witness corner is set, usually on the line at a measured distance.
• Witness Tree  -  A tree close to a section corner used as a reference to the section corner normally on public lands. 

X

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• X  -  A latitude or distance along the east-west axis in a coordinate system.

Y

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• Y  -  A latitude or distance along the north-south axis in a coordinate system.

Z

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• Z  -  The depth or distance along an axis in a three dimensional coordinate system.