Sextant
Sextant , noun
[Latin sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, from sextus sixth, sex six. See Six.]
1.
(Mathematics) 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.
(Astronomy) The constellation Sextans.
Collocations (1)
Box sextant , a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable.