Use the “Quick Search” box to locate your required term and/or definition. The following “Search conditions” can be used to refine your search: “Contains”, “Begins with”, “Ends with”, “Equals”, “Does not contain” or “Does not equal.”
Eng ID Term Definition
3881
pingo
Small conical hills having a large central core of ice formed from the encroachment of permafrost and the resulting hydrostatic pressure.
3882
pingo-like features (PLF)
Small conical undersea features having the geomorphological appearance of pingos.
3883
pinnacle
Any high tower or spire-shaped pillar of rock or coral, alone or cresting a SUMMIT. It may extend above the surface of the water. It may or ... more
Any high tower or spire-shaped pillar of rock or coral, alone or cresting a SUMMIT. It may extend above the surface of the water. It may or may not be a hazard to SURFACE NAVIGATION.
3884
pinnacled iceberg
An iceberg weathered in such manner as to produce spires or pinnacles. Also called pyrami­dal iceberg, irregular iceberg.
3885
pinpoint
(v.t. and i.). To establish (POSITION) with great ACCURACY.
3886
pip
See BLIP.
3887
pipe
A hollow metal tube, of varying diameters and lengths, imbedded in the bottom in a manner similar to a pile. Pipes are often used as private... more
A hollow metal tube, of varying diameters and lengths, imbedded in the bottom in a manner similar to a pile. Pipes are often used as privately maintained aids to navigation and in the determination of beach or bottom sand migration (deposition or erosion).
3888
pipeline
A string of interconnected pipes used for the transport of matter, nowadays mainly oil or gas .
3889
pitch
The oscillations of a ship about the transverse axis, due to the bow and stern being raised or lowered on passing through successive crests ... more
The oscillations of a ship about the transverse axis, due to the bow and stern being raised or lowered on passing through successive crests and troughs of waves. Also called pitching. The distance along the axis of a screw or other helix between consecutive threads or ribs. The distance a propeller would advance longitudinally, in one revolution if there were no slip.
3890
pitching
See PITCH.
3891
pivot
A spindle or pin by which a movable part of an instrument is supported so as to be free to turn. The pivot of a COMPASS is usually a fixed p... more
A spindle or pin by which a movable part of an instrument is supported so as to be free to turn. The pivot of a COMPASS is usually a fixed point on which the NEEDLE hangs by a single jewelled cap.
3892
pivot point
After a ship has assumed its DRIFT ANGLE in a turn, the point on the centerline between the bow and the CENTRE OF GRAVITY at which the resul... more
After a ship has assumed its DRIFT ANGLE in a turn, the point on the centerline between the bow and the CENTRE OF GRAVITY at which the resultant of the velocities of rotation and transaction is directed along the centerline. To an observer on board, the ship appears to rotate about this point.
3893
pixel
Contraction for "picture element". The smallest element resolvable by electronic raster devices such as SCANNER, DISPLAY, and PLOTTER. See R... more
Contraction for "picture element". The smallest element resolvable by electronic raster devices such as SCANNER, DISPLAY, and PLOTTER. See REMOTE SENSING.
3894
plain
Any LAND with a flat or very slightly undula­ting surface. A flat, gently sloping or nearly level region of the SEAFLOOR, for example, ABYS... more
Any LAND with a flat or very slightly undula­ting surface. A flat, gently sloping or nearly level region of the SEAFLOOR, for example, ABYSSAL PLAIN.
3895
plan
An orthographic drawing on a horizontal plane, as of an instrument, a horizontal section, or a lay­out. A large scale map or chart of a sma... more
An orthographic drawing on a horizontal plane, as of an instrument, a horizontal section, or a lay­out. A large scale map or chart of a small area.
3896
plane: horizontal
A plane perpendicular to the DIREC­TION OF GRAVITY; any plane tangent to the GEOID or parallel to such a plane. In SURVEYING, a plane perpe... more
A plane perpendicular to the DIREC­TION OF GRAVITY; any plane tangent to the GEOID or parallel to such a plane. In SURVEYING, a plane perpendicular to the PLUMB LINE within which or on which angles and distances are observed.
3897
plane: vertical
Any plane passing through a point on the EARTH and containing the ZENITH and NADIR of that point. In SURVEYING, a plane at right angles to a... more
Any plane passing through a point on the EARTH and containing the ZENITH and NADIR of that point. In SURVEYING, a plane at right angles to a HORIZONTAL PLANE and within which angles and distances are obser­ved.
3898
plane coordinates
See COORDINATES: PLANE RECTAN­GULAR.
3899
plane rectangular coordinates
See COOR­DINATES.
3900
plane sailing
See SAILING.