1. eastward angle to object from north: the angle measured from north, eastward along the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle through an astronomical object intersects the horizon
2. horizontal angle of bearing: the angular distance along the horizon between a point of reference, usually the observer's bearing, and another object
[Early 17th century. Via French azimut< Arabic as-samūt, plural of as-samt "the way" < samt "way, direction"]