octant Hear it!

octant Definition

oc·tant (äktənt)

noun

  1. an eighth of a circle; 45° angle or arc
  2. an instrument like the sextant, for measuring angles
  3. Astron. the position of one celestial body when it is 45° distant from another
  4. Math. any of the eight parts into which a space is divided by three planes intersecting at a single point and at right angles to one another

Etymology: LL octans, eighth part < L octo, eight

octant Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • invent: He invented the octant in 1731 and patented it in 1734.

Browse dictionary entries near octant

  1. Octans
  2. octanol
  3. octanoic acid
  4. octane
  5. octan
  6. octameter
  7. octamerous
  8. octal
  9. octahedron
  10. octahedrite
  1. octave
  2. Octavia
  3. Octavian
  4. Octavius
  5. octavo
  6. octennial
  7. octet
  8. octillion
  9. octo-
  10. October