sextant — a navigational instrument used to measure the angular distances between objects, especially for determining latitude and longitude at sea
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a navigational instrument used to measure the angular distances between objects, especially for determining latitude and longitude at sea
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsekstənt/
Korean meaning: 천체나 물체 간의 각거리를 측정하는 항해용 기구, 특히 바다에서 위도와 경도를 측정하는 데 사용
Korean pronunciation: **섹**스턴트
Example Sentences
- The pirate captain squinted through his sextant and declared, 'Arr! The treasure be three nautical miles that way!'
- Modern GPS has largely replaced the sextant in commercial navigation.
- She learned to use a sextant the old-fashioned way, just in case her yacht's electronics failed.
sextant
NOUN//ˈsekstənt//
a navigational instrument used to measure the angular distances between objects, especially for determining latitude and longitude at sea
a ship's navigator holds up a brass triangular instrument with curved scales and mirrors, pointing it toward the sun above. He carefully adjusts the movable arm while peering through the eyepiece to measure the sun's angle. The measurement allows him to calculate their exact position on the vast ocean. His fellow sailor watches intently as the navigator reads the precise angular measurement from the graduated scale. The captain nearby examines nautical charts spread on a wooden table, waiting for the location data. a navigational instrument being used to measure angular distances between celestial objects for determining position at sea
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🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'sextans' meaning 'sixth part.' The instrument was named this because it measures angles using an arc that is one-sixth of a circle (60 degrees).
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“The pirate captain squinted through his sextant and declared, 'Arr! The treasure be three nautical miles that way!'”
“Modern GPS has largely replaced the sextant in commercial navigation.”
“She learned to use a sextant the old-fashioned way, just in case her yacht's electronics failed.”
“The astronomy student was thrilled to find an antique sextant at the flea market for only twenty dollars.”
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