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An alidade is a device that allows one to sight a distant object and use the line of sight to perform a task, like recording a line on a map. These devices are often incorporated into other tools like the surveyor’s compass or circumferentor but can also be used independently on the plane table. 

The earliest alidades consisted of a bar, rod or similar component with a vane on each end. Each vane (also called a pinnule or pinule) has a hole, slot or other indicator through which one can view a distant object. There may also be a pointer or pointers on the alidade to indicate a position on a scale.

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