Definition of sextant
: an instrument for measuring angular distances used especially in navigation to observe altitudes of celestial bodies (as in ascertaining latitude and longitude)
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of sextant from the Web
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The sextant was, however, designed to superimpose a pair of star images, could not be used to photograph objects, and, with a field of view only 1.8° wide, would require a highly skilled operator to spot an LM at all.
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Illustration of sextant
Origin and Etymology of sextant
New Latin sextant-, sextans sixth part of a circle, from Latin, sixth part, from sextus sixth
SEXTANT Defined for English Language Learners
sextant
playDefinition of sextant for English Language Learners
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: an instrument used to determine the position of a ship or airplane by measuring the positions of the stars and sun
Learn More about sextant
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See words that rhyme with sextant Spanish Central: Translation of sextant Nglish: Translation of sextant for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sextant
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