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sextant |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Sextant \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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: sextant n 1: a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees 2: an instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
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