Theodolite

Is the word theodolite related to words such as theology or theory?
 
Strangely, it seems very odd that we know so little of the origins of the word naming such a sophisticated and important instrument. A theodolite is traditionally used by land surveyors. It is also used in building and infrastructure construction.
 
So, what is known or can be surmised about the origins of the word theodolite? What is known is that in the 1570s an English mathematician, Leonard Digges, developed and used such an instrument to measure horizontal and vertical angles. Some suggest that he called his instrument a theodelitus, from Greek words meaning ‘to behold or to look upon attentively’.
 
Others suggest that the theodelitus may be based on an older Arabic surveying instrument called an alidade (a ruler).
 
Other than this, not much is known for certain.
 
To answer the opening question, the word theodolite is not related to theology (i.e., from Greek theos = god). However, the word theodelitus may be related to the word theory. Both words are from Greek theoros = spectator. Theoros is also the origin of the word theatre—a place to which we go in order to see something. Similarly, theory: “Ahhh… now I see what you mean!”
 
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
​