Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sextant
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sextant
SEX'TANT
,Noun.
1. In mathematics, the sixth part of a circle. Hence,
2. An instrument formed like a quadrant, excepting that its limb comprehends only 60 degrees, or the sixth part of a circle.
3. In astronomy, a constellation of the southern hemisphere which, according to the British catalogue, contains 41 stars.
Definition 2024
Sextant
sextant
sextant
See also: Sextant
English
A nautical sextant
Noun
sextant (plural sextants)
- (nautical) A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.
- 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter IV
- For several days things went along in about the same course. I took our position every morning with my crude sextant; but the results were always most unsatisfactory. They always showed a considerable westing when I knew that we had been sailing due north. I blamed my crude instrument, and kept on.
- 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter IV
- (geometry) One sixth of a circle or disc; a sector with an angle of 60°.
Translations
one sixth of a circle