hodometer,
n. [Gr.
"odo`metron,
"odo`metros, an instrument for measuring distance;
"odo`s way, path, road +
me`tron measure: cf. F.
odométre,
hodométre. See also
odometer.].
A device for measuring the length of a path, consisting of a wheel of known circumference attached to a rod held in the hand, and pushed along a surface, which is usually the ground or a floor. The number of times the wheel makes a complete circle multiplied by the circumference is a measure of the length of the path traversed. It may be used to measure distances on curved as well as straight paths. A variant which registers the miles and rods traversed is sometimes used by surveyors. [PJC]