| Library / English Dictionary |
SEXTANT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("sextant" is a kind of...):
measuring device; measuring instrument; measuring system (instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something)
Meronyms (parts of "sextant"):
limb (the graduated arc that is attached to an instrument for measuring angles)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sextant"):
astrolabe (an early form of sextant)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("sextant" is a kind of...):
angular unit (a unit of measurement for angles)
Meronyms (parts of "sextant"):
arcdegree; degree (a measure for arcs and angles)
Holonyms ("sextant" is a part of...):
circumference (the length of the closed curve of a circle)
