Definitions for sextant
ˈsɛk stəntsex·tant

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. sextantnoun

   a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

2. sextantnoun

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

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sextantnoun

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

2. sextantnoun

   One sixth of a circle or disc; a sector with an angle of 60.

3. Etymology: From sextans, a bronze coin worth one-sixth of an as.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sextantnoun

   The sixth part of a circle.

   Etymology: sextant, French.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sextant

   A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation. The estimation of this angle, the altitude, is known as sighting or shooting the object, or taking a sight. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical or aeronautical chart—for example, sighting the Sun at noon or Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere) to estimate latitude (with sight reduction). Sighting the height of a landmark can give a measure of distance off and, held horizontally, a sextant can measure angles between objects for a position on a chart. A sextant can also be used to measure the lunar distance between the moon and another celestial object (such as a star or planet) in order to determine Greenwich Mean Time and hence longitude. The principle of the instrument was first implemented around 1731 by John Hadley (1682–1744) and Thomas Godfrey (1704–1749), but it was also found later in the unpublished writings of Isaac Newton (1643–1727). In 1922, it was modified for aeronautical navigation by Portuguese navigator and naval officer Gago Coutinho.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sextant

   A sextant is a handheld navigational instrument used primarily in maritime settings to measure the angle between two visible objects, usually the horizon and a celestial body such as the sun, moon, or a star. This measurement, along with data from the time of the observation, is used to calculate the observer's geographic position. Invented in the 18th century, the sextant replaced less precise navigational tools and continues to be used today, despite the prevalence of electronic navigation systems.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sextantnoun

   the sixth part of a circle

2. Sextantnoun

   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. Sextantnoun

   the constellation Sextans

4. Etymology: [L. sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, fr. sextus sixth, sex six. See Six.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sextant

   A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects. Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is known as the object's altitude. Making this measurement is known as sighting the object, shooting the object, or taking a sight and it is an essential part of celestial navigation. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical or aeronautical chart. Common uses of the sextant include sighting the sun at solar noon and sighting Polaris at night, to find one's latitude. Sighting the height of a landmark can give a measure of distance off and, held horizontally, a sextant can measure angles between objects for a position on a chart. A sextant can also be used to measure the lunar distance between the moon and another celestial object in order to determine Greenwich time which is important because it can then be used to determine the longitude. The scale of a sextant has a length of ⅙ of a turn; hence the sextant's name. An octant is a similar device with a shorter scale, whereas a quintant and a quadrant have longer scales.

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sextant

   an instrument used in navigation (sometimes also in land-surveying) for measuring the altitudes of celestial bodies and their angular distances; consists of a graduated brass sector, the sixth part of a circle, and an arrangement of two small mirrors and telescope; invented in 1730 by John Hadley.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sextant

   A mathematical instrument for taking altitudes of, and measuring the angular distances between, the heavenly bodies. It is constructed on a principle similar to Hadley's quadrant; but the arc contains a sixth part of a circle, and measures angles up to 120°.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sextant

   An instrument of reflection for measuring angular distances between objects. 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.

Matched Categories

1. • Angular Unit
   • Measuring Instrument

How to pronounce sextant?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say sextant in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of sextant in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of sextant in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of sextant in a Sentence

1. David Eggleston:

   For me it was the wooden sextant, which appeared in fantastic shape.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=sextant
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sextant
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=sextant
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sextant
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sextant
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=sextant
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Sextant
9. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=sextant
10. ^ Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/59563/pg59563-images.html