\Ge`o*det"ic\, Geodetical \Ge`o*det"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to geodesy; obtained or determined by the
operations of geodesy; engaged in geodesy; geodesic; as,
geodetic surveying; geodetic observers.

{Geodetic line} or {curve}, the shortest line that can be
   drawn between two points on the elipsoidal surface of the
   earth; a curve drawn on any given surface so that the
   osculating plane of the curve at every point shall contain
   the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be
   drawn on any surface between any two points.