'Sextant' definitions:
Definition of 'sextant'
(from WordNet)
noun
A unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees
noun
A measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
Definition of 'Sextant'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Astron.) The constellation Sextans. [1913 Webster]
- Box sextant, a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'sextant'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- astrolabe,
- astronavigation,
- azimuth circle,
- azimuth compass,
- bevel,
- bevel protractor,
- bevel square,
- celestial navigation,
- chronometer,
- clinometer,
- coastwise navigation,
- consolan,
- crescent,
- dead reckoning,
- fix,
- goniometer,
- graphometer,
- half circle,
- hemicycle,
- line of position,
- loran,
- pantometer,
- pilotage,
- plane sailing,
- point-to-point navigation,
- protractor,
- quadrant,
- radar,
- radio beacon,
- radio navigation,
- radiogoniometer,
- sector,
- semicircle,
- shoran,
- sofar,
- sonar,
- tables,
- theodolite,
- transit,
- transit circle,
- transit instrument,
- transit theodolite