sextant
sextant
Definition
sex·tant (seks′tənt)
noun
an instrument used by navigators for measuring the angular distance of the sun, a star, etc. from the horizon, as in finding the position of a ship
Etymology: ModL sextans (gen. sextantis), arc of a sixth part of a circle < L, a sixth part < sextus, sixth
sextant
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- use: Measure the altitude of Polaris above the northern horizon, using the sextant.
- have: We have a sextant which I used to use every week for practice.
- include: In the case to the side are many instruments including the first sextant, made by John Bird in about 1757.
Adjective modifier
- marine: This was rapidly developed into the modern marine sextant.
- posterior: Table 1 illustrates these differences for the test and control brushes for the anterior and posterior sextants of the mandible and maxilla.
Modifies a noun
- observation: It is only after several minutes of sextant observation that the navigator decides that he has witnessed the passing of maximum altitude ( i.e.
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