From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
geodetic
adj : of or relating to or determined by geodesy [syn: geodesic,
geodesical]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Geodetic \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.
[1913 Webster]
Geodetic line or Geodetic 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.
[1913 Webster]