gravimeter Physics.
(grəˈvɪmɪtə(r))
[ad. F. gravimètre (Guyton de Morveau, 1797), f. L. gravi-s heavy: see -meter.]
1. A kind of hydrometer (resembling Nicholson's), for determining the specific gravity of bodies, whether liquid or solid.
| 1797 Nicholson's Jrnl. June 110 Description of a Gravi⁓meter, or Instrument for measuring the Specific Gravity of Solids and Fluids. By Citizen Guyton. 1801 J. Jones tr. Bygge's Trav. Fr. Repub. v. 120 Determining the Specific gravity of a calcedon by means of Guiton's gravimeter. 1868 Nat. Encycl. I. 991 For fluids of greater specific gravity than water..an instrument..which was invented by Guyton de Morveau, and is designated ‘Gravimeter’, may be used. |
2. Any instrument designed to measure the variation in the force of gravity from one place to another; usu. applied to those which involve determining the force exerted on a suspended mass.
| 1932 Physics II. 124 (caption) Diagram of gravimeter. Ibid. 128 (caption) The gravimeter in the field. 1940 Geogr. Jrnl. XCV. 135 An exhaustive test of all modern gravimeters should be made..to compare the Lejay astatic pendulum, the new Nörgaard instrument, the gravimeters depending on the properties of helical springs..and finally the Nörgaard and Halck patterns of hydro⁓static gravimeter. 1955 Sci. Amer. Sept. 165/1 The pendulum is still the standard for absolute values of gravity, but nowadays the instrument most commonly used is the gravimeter, a supersensitive version of the ordinary spring scale. The earth's pull is measured by the amount of stretching of a thin wire of silica or invar (a nickel-steel alloy) on which a small weight hangs. 1957 [see gravity meter s.v. gravity 8 b]. |
Also graviˈmetric, graviˈmetrical adjs., pertaining to the gravimeter or to gravimetry; graviˈmetrically adv., by means of the gravimeter; in respect of measurement by weight; graˈvimetry, measurement of weight.
| 1858 Thudichum Urine 39 In the generality of diseases the gravimetry of urine gives very meagre results as yet. 1866 Odling Anim. Chem. 100 By comparing the items gravimetrically instead of volumetrically. 1873 C. H. Ralfe Phys. Chem. 216 Gravimetric [method], in which the substance after isolation from the mixture is weighed in the balance. 1883 Atkinson Ganot's Physics (ed. 11) §185 This apparatus [volumometer or sterometer], is of great value in determining the gravimetrical density of gunpowder. 1884 Pharmaceut. Soc. Prosp. 13 Volumetric and Gravimetric Quantitative Analyses. 1935 Geogr. Jrnl. LXXXV. 199 Conditions of gravimetric survey. 1955 Sci. Amer. Sept. 170/3 The fundamental idea of the gravimetric method of mapping, and of the present world-wide gravity measuring program, is that the undulations of the geoid and its tilt at every place can be computed from the observed gravity anomalies. |