释义 |
Definition of octant in English: octantnoun ˈɒkt(ə)ntˈɑktənt 1An arc of a circle equal to one eighth of its circumference, or the area enclosed by such an arc with two radii of the circle. Example sentencesExamples - Included in those downloads are the last two octants needed to complete the color, 360-degree ‘mission success' panorama.
- The arc was extended from an octant to a sextant and a stout handle was added at the back of the instrument.
- 1.1 Each of eight parts into which a space or solid body is divided by three planes which intersect (especially at right angles) at a single point.
Example sentencesExamples - At the octant (eight-cell) stage the embryo proper and suspensor are clearly distinct.
- The model put forward for the action of BDL suggests that auxin is involved in determining hypophyseal cell fate at the octant stage.
- 1.2 An obsolete instrument in the form of a graduated eighth of a circle, used in astronomy and navigation.
Example sentencesExamples - Clark used celestial observation to determine latitude, triangulating position with an octant.
- Instead of compasses, octants, and two-pole chains, modern digital GPS units determine position and direction.
Origin Late 17th century: from Latin octans, octant- 'half-quadrant', from octo 'eight'. Definition of octant in US English: octantnounˈäktəntˈɑktənt 1An arc of a circle equal to one eighth of its circumference, or the area enclosed by such an arc with two radii of the circle. Example sentencesExamples - Included in those downloads are the last two octants needed to complete the color, 360-degree ‘mission success' panorama.
- The arc was extended from an octant to a sextant and a stout handle was added at the back of the instrument.
- 1.1 Each of eight parts into which a space or solid body is divided by three planes which intersect (especially at right angles) at a single point.
Example sentencesExamples - At the octant (eight-cell) stage the embryo proper and suspensor are clearly distinct.
- The model put forward for the action of BDL suggests that auxin is involved in determining hypophyseal cell fate at the octant stage.
- 1.2 An obsolete instrument in the form of a graduated eighth of a circle, used in astronomy and navigation.
Example sentencesExamples - Clark used celestial observation to determine latitude, triangulating position with an octant.
- Instead of compasses, octants, and two-pole chains, modern digital GPS units determine position and direction.
Origin Late 17th century: from Latin octans, octant- ‘half-quadrant’, from octo ‘eight’. |