triangulation

Meanings

1. A technique in which distances and directions are estimated from an accurately measured baseline and the principles of trigonometry; (countable) an instance of the use of this technique.
2. The network of triangles so obtained, that are the basis of a chart or map.
3. A delaying move in which the king moves in a triangular path to force the advance of a pawn.
4. A subdivision of a planar object into triangles, and by extension the subdivision of a higher-dimension geometric object into simplices.
5. A process by which an unknown location is found using three known distances from known locations.
6. The practice of repositioning one's group or oneself on the political spectrum in an attempt to capture the centre.
7. 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.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin triangulātiō (“triangulation”), from triangulō (“to triangulate”) + -tiō (noun-forming suffix). Triangulō is derived from triangulus (“triangular; triangle”), from trēs (“three”) + angulus (“angle; corner”). By surface analysis, triangulate + ion; cognate with French triangulation.