quadrant
/ˈkwɒdr(ə)nt
/noun technical
1Each of four quarters of a circle.Arrange the bricks evenly around the circumference, leaving no large gaps, then divide the circle into four equal quadrants with remaining bricks....
- In the north-east quadrant was a second circle, although little survives.
- Use it to snap to the nearest quadrant of an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, and some 3D solids.
1.1Each of four parts of a plane, sphere, space, or body divided by two lines or planes at right angles: the right upper quadrant of the kidney...
- Dividing the newspapers into quadrants by circulation size gave the same revelation.
- We divided the study area into four 24 m X 16.5 rn quadrants (quarters).
- If one imagines a square with four quadrants, the top left-hand quadrant is the case where there is a simple breach of confidentiality.
2 historical An instrument used for taking angular measurements of altitude in astronomy and navigation, typically consisting of a graduated quarter circle and a sighting mechanism.Millburn shows that much of the business, for George Sr. and Jr., was in quadrants and other navigational instruments....
- Lavanha also studied instruments used in navigation, constructing astrolabes, quadrants and compasses.
- In 1730 he invented a quadrant which measured the altitude of the Sun or of a star.
3A frame fixed to the head of a ship’s rudder, to which the steering mechanism is attached.Cables or chains run round a quadrant attached to the top of the rudder shaft....
- Above the stern a large steering quadrant is still attached to the rudder post.
- At the top is the steering quadrant, while at the bottom the rudder lies flat against the seabed.
3.1A panel with slots through which a lever is moved to orient or otherwise control a mechanism.At the first sign of engine failure, the pilot must advance all six levers on the power quadrant....
- Each unit consisted of a quadrant and bellcrank assembly, a control valve, an actuator cylinder assembly and a bypass control assembly.
- Acceptable growth on the control quadrants indicated acceptable quality control.
Derivatives
quadrantal
- Sert tamed and harnessed the Mediterranean light with quadrantal cylinder windows.
- S-wave polarizations also show a quadrantal distribution for this type of source.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting the astronomical instrument): from Latin quadrans, quadrant- 'quarter', from quattuor 'four'.