octant
[ ok-tuh nt ]
/ ˈɒk tənt /
noun
the eighth part of a circle.
Mathematics.
any of the eight parts into which three mutually perpendicular planes divide space.
an instrument having an arc of 24°, used by navigators for measuring angles up to 90°.
the position of one heavenly body when 45° distant from another.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy.
the constellation Octans.
Origin of octant
OTHER WORDS FROM octant
oc·tan·tal [ok-tan-tl] /ɒkˈtæn tl/, adjectiveWords nearby octant
octanedioic acid,
octangle,
octangular,
octanoic acid,
octans,
octant,
octarchy,
octaroon,
octastyle,
octateuch,
octavalent
Example sentences from the Web for octant
British Dictionary definitions for octant
octant
/ (ˈɒktənt) /
noun
maths
- any of the eight parts into which the three planes containing the Cartesian coordinate axes divide space
- an eighth part of a circle
astronomy
the position of a celestial body when it is at an angular distance of 45° from another body
an instrument used for measuring angles, similar to a sextant but having a graduated arc of 45°
Word Origin for octant
C17: from Latin
octans half quadrant, from
octo eight