SEXTANT

sextant

(noun) a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant

sextant

(noun) a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

sextant (plural sextants)

(nautical) A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.

(geometry) One sixth of a circle or disc; a sector with an angle of 60°.

(dentistry) One of six groups of adjacent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth. The front sextants go from canine to canine, and there are sextants on the right and left of these. See Periodontal examination.

Anagrams

• exstant

Proper noun

Sextant

(astronomy) The constellation Sextans.

Anagrams

• exstant

Source: Wiktionary

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Sex"tant, n. Etym: [L. sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, fr. sextus sixth, sex six. See Six.]

1. (Math.)

Definition: 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.)

Definition: The constellation Sextans. Box sextant, a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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