triangulation

Meaning

Noun

• A technique in which distances and directions are estimated from an accurately measured baseline and the principles of trigonometry; an instance of the use of this technique.
• The network of triangles so obtained, that are the basis of a chart or map.
• A delaying move in which the king moves in a triangular path to force the advance of a pawn.
• A subdivision of a planar object into triangles, and by extension the subdivision of a higher-dimension geometric object into simplices.
• A process by which an unknown location is found using three known distances from known locations.
• The practice of repositioning one's group or oneself on the political spectrum in an attempt to capture the centre.
• The use of three (or more) researchers to interview the same people or to evaluate the same evidence to reduce the impact of individual bias.

Related

Broader meaning words

• polygonation

Origin

• From Medieval Latin triangulātiōnem ("triangulation"), from triangulāre + -tiōnem. Triangulāre is derived from triangulāris, from triangulus, from trēs + angulus. The English word is analysable as triangulate + -ion, and is cognate with French triangulation.