Mercator

Latinized name of Gerard de Cremer, Flemish cartographer and mathematician.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /məːˈkeɪtə/

Mercator (countable and uncountable, plural Mercators)

1. (chiefly attributive) Pertaining to an orthomorphic map projection, in which meridians appear at right-angles to the equator, and lines of latitude are horizontal lines whose distance from each other increases with distance from the equator.
2. Such a projection or chart.
   • 1809, Lord Byron, letter (to Henry Drury), 25 Jun 1809:

     we have determined to go by way of Lisbon [...], if so be that Capt. Kidd our gallant or rather gallows commander understands plain sailing and Mercator, and takes us on our voyage all according to the Chart.

• cremator