cultellation

\\ˌkəltəˈlāshən\ noun (-s)

Etymology: French, from Latin cultellus + French -ation

: the transferring in surveying of the exact location of a point from a higher level (as an overhanging cliff) to a lower by dropping a sharp-pointed marking pin

* * *

† culteˈllation Obs.

[a. F. cultellation, f. L. cultellus knife.]

An operation in land-measuring to ascertain the horizontal area of a sloping or uneven surface: the measuring line is held horizontally above the surface and a weighted ‘arrow’ (originally a knife) dropped to stick in the ground at a point vertically beneath its extremity.

1727–51 in Chambers Cycl.