quad·rant (kw d r nt)n. 1. Mathematics a. A circular arc of 90°; one fourth of the circumference of a circle. b. The plane area bounded by such an arc and two perpendicular radii. c. Any of the four areas into which a plane is divided by the reference axes in a Cartesian coordinate system, designated first, second, third, and fourth, counting counterclockwise from the area in which both coordinates are positive. 2. A machine part or other mechanical device that is shaped like a quarter circle. 3. An early instrument for measuring altitude of celestial bodies, consisting of a 90° graduated arc with a movable radius for measuring angles. [Middle English, quarter of a day, from Latin quadr  ns, quadrant-, a fourth part; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots.] |
quadrant [ˈkwɒdrənt]
n
1. (Mathematics) Geometry
a. a quarter of the circumference of a circle
b. the area enclosed by two perpendicular radii of a circle and its circumference
c. any of the four sections into which a plane is divided by two coordinate axes
2. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a piece of a mechanism in the form of a quarter circle, esp one used as a cam or a gear sector
3. (Astronomy) an instrument formerly used in astronomy and navigation for measuring the altitudes of stars, consisting of a graduated arc of 90° and a sighting mechanism attached to a movable arm
[from Latin quadrāns a quarter]
quadrantal [kwɒˈdræntəl] adj
| quadrant (kwdrnt) 1. An arc equal to one quarter of the circumference of a circle; an arc of 90°. 2. Any of the four regions into which a plane is divided by the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. The quadrants are numbered counterclockwise one through four, beginning with the quadrant in which both the x- and y-coordinates are positive (usually the upper right quadrant). 3. A navigational instrument similar to a sextant but with an arc of 90° rather than 60°. See more at sextant. |
quadrant
an instrument for measuring angular elevation, used in astronomy, navigation, surveying, etc., similar in principle to the sextant. — quadrantal, ad].
See also: Instruments
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | quadrant - a quarter of the circumference of a circle line - a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent |
| 2. | quadrant - any of the four areas into which a plane is divided by two orthogonal coordinate axes | |
| 3. | quadrant - the area enclosed by two perpendicular radii of a circle | |
| 4. | quadrant - a measuring instrument for measuring altitude of heavenly bodies measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something |
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