Found 2 items, similar to Octant.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: octant
octant
n : a measuring instrument for measuring angles to a celestial
body; similar to a sextant but with 45 degree calibration
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Octant
Octant
\Oc"tant\, n. [L. octans, -antis. fr. octo eight. See
Octave.]
1. (Geom.) The eighth part of a circle; an arc of 45 degrees.
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2. (Astron. & Astrol.) The position or aspect of a heavenly
body, as the moon or a planet, when half way between
conjunction, or opposition, and quadrature, or distant
from another body 45 degrees.
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3. An instrument for measuring angles (generally called a
quadrant), having an arc which measures up to 9O[deg],
but being itself the eighth part of a circle. Cf.
Sextant.
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4. (Math. & Crystallog.) One of the eight parts into which a
space is divided by three co["o]rdinate planes.
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