backsight

The rear sight of a firearm.

Noun

  1. The rear sight of a firearm.
    • Holonym: iron sights

    Synonyms: hindsight

    Antonyms: foresight

  2. A measurement or reading taken back towards a point of known elevation, used to calculate the height of the surveying instrument (theodolite, transit, total station).
  3. A measurement of a previously shot point, used to set the angle to zero when occupying a new position.

Origin

From back + sight.

Forms

backsights

Derived

blow a backsight

Verb

  1. To shoot a backsight.

Forms

backsights backsighting backsighted

Related

foresight hindsight