traverse table

English

Noun

traverse table (plural traverse tables)

1. (nautical, surveying) A table by means of which the difference of latitude and departure corresponding to any given course and distance may be calculates. It contains the lengths of the two sides of a right-angled triangle, usually for every quarter of a degree of angle, and for lengths of the hypotenuse, from 1 to 100.
   • 1911 June, Jack London, The Cruise of the Snark, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, →OCLC:

     Of course, if the Snark were sailing due west at six knots per hour, for the intervening four hours her latitude would not change. But if she were sailing due south, her latitude would change to the tune of twenty-four miles. In which case a simple addition or subtraction would convert the twelve o'clock latitude into eight o'clock latitude. But suppose the Snark were sailing southwest. Then the traverse tables must be consulted.

2. a computerized version of the above table.
3. (railroad) A platform with one or more tracks, and arranged to move laterally on wheels, for shifting cars, etc., from one line of track to another.

   Synonyms: traverser, transfer table

References

• “traverse”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.