About The Word Sextant

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Sextant

Sextant Meaning & Definition
Sextant Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Sextant?

[n] a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
[n] a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

Synonyms | Synonyms for Sextant:

Related Terms | Find terms related to Sextant:

See Also | angular unit | arcdegree | astrolabe | circumference | degree | limb | measuring device | measuring instrument | measuring system

Sextant In Webster's Dictionary

\Sex"tant\, n. [L. sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, fr. sextus sixth, sex six. See {Six}.] 1. (Math.) The sixth part of a circle. 2. An instrument for measuring angular distances between objects, -- used esp. at sea, for ascertaining the latitude and longitude. It is constructed on the same optical principle as Hadley's quadrant, but usually of metal, with a nicer graduation, telescopic sight, and its arc the sixth, and sometimes the third, part of a circle. See {Quadrant}. 3. (Astron.) The constellation Sextans. {Box sextant}, a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable.

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