Stadia

noun
1.
a method of surveying in which distances are read by noting the interval on a graduated rod intercepted by two parallel cross hairs (stadia hairs or stadia wires) mounted in the telescope of a surveying instrument, the rod being placed at one end of the distance to be measured and the surveying instrument at the other.
adjective
2.
pertaining to such a method of surveying.
noun
1.
a plural of stadium.
noun, plural stadiums, stadia
[stey-dee-uh] /ˈsteɪ di ə/ (Show IPA)
1.
a sports arena, usually oval or horseshoe-shaped, with tiers of seats for spectators.
2.
an ancient Greek course for foot races, typically semicircular, with tiers of seats for spectators.
3.
an ancient Greek and Roman unit of length, the Athenian unit being equal to about 607 feet (185 meters).
4.
a stage in a process or in the life of an organism.
5.
Entomology. stage (def 11b).
noun
1.

tacheometry that makes use of a telescopic surveying instrument and a graduated staff calibrated to correspond with the distance from the observer
(as modifier): stadia surveying

2.
the two parallel cross hairs or stadia hairs in the eyepiece of the instrument used
3.
the staff used
noun
1.
a plural of stadium
noun (pl) -diums, -dia (-dɪə)
1.
a sports arena with tiered seats for spectators
2.
(in ancient Greece) a course for races, usually located between two hills providing natural slopes for tiers of seats
3.
an ancient Greek measure of length equivalent to about 607 feet or 184 metres
4.
(in many arthropods) the interval between two consecutive moultings
5.
(obsolete) a particular period or stage in the development of a disease