GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Sextant , n. [L. sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, fr. sextus sixth, sex six. See Six.]
   (Math.) The sixth part of a circle.
   1913 Webster
   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
   (Astron.) The constellation Sextans.
   1913 Webster
   Box sextant, a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable.
   1913 Webster