| 单词 | sextant |
| 释义 | sextant (once / 8975 pages) n A sextant is a tool for measuring the angles between heavenly bodies — the kind found in outer space. Used as a navigational tool out at sea, it helps determine a ship's longitude and latitude. There is nothing sexy about a sextant, unless you're a sailor. Even then, in today's world of sophisticated instrumentation, it's considered quaint and old-fashioned. The noun sextant dates back to the late 16th century, from the Latin word sextans, meaning "sixth part." The sextant uses a graduated arc of 60° (there's the six reference) for measuring the altitude of the planets and stars. WORD FAMILYsextant: sextants USAGE EXAMPLESLeft with a sextant, chronometer, Walkers Log and paper charts. New York Times(Oct 14, 2016) I learned how to work the sextant, the compass, the slipstick, the abacus. Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind(2007) There is the lower equipment bay beneath the seats, where the navigational sextant and computer were located. Time(Jul 25, 2016) 1n a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant Hypo|Hyper astrolabe an early form of sextant measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something 2n a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees Hyper angular unit a unit of measurement for angles |
| 随便看 |
英语词典包含147318条英英释义在线翻译词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。