sextant (redirected from Sextants)

sex·tant  (skstnt)

n.

1. A navigational instrument containing a graduated 60-degree arc, used for measuring the altitudes of celestial bodies to determine latitude and longitude.

2. Sextant See Sextans.

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[New Latin sextns, sextant-, from Latin, sixth part (so called because the instrument's arc is a sixth of a circle), from sextus, sixth; see s(w)eks in Indo-European roots.]

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sextant

Noun

an instrument used in navigation for measuring angular distance, for example between the sun and the horizon, to calculate the position of a ship or aircraft [Latin sextans one sixth of a unit]

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sextant  (skstnt)

An instrument containing a graduated 60° arc and a movable pivoted arm corresponding to the radius of the arc's circle, used in celestial navigation to measure the altitude of a celestial body in order to determine the observer's latitude and longitude. A horizontally mounted telescope and two small mirrors are arranged so that the observer can, by moving the pivoted arm, sight the horizon and the reflected image of the celestial body in the same line, giving a reading along the arc that is used to look up the observer's position in a published table.

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sextant

a navigational instrument for determining latitude and longitude by measuring the angles of heavenly bodies in relation to the horizon or other heavenly bodies.

See also: Instruments

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	sextant - a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees circumference - the length of the closed curve of a circle angular unit - a unit of measurement for angles arcdegree, degree - a measure for arcs and angles; "there are 360 degrees in a circle"
	2.	sextant - a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant astrolabe - an early form of sextant limb - the graduated arc that is attached to an instrument for measuring angles; "the limb of the sextant" measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something

Translations

sextant [ˈsɛkstənt] n → sextante m