Background for sextants
BeDict Logo

sextants

/ˈsɛkstənz/ /ˈsɛkstɪnz/

Meanings
noun
A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.

Examples :

"The old sailor taught us how to use sextants to calculate our ship's position based on the sun and the horizon. "
nautical device technology sailing

Related Words

Illustration excluding

excluding verb

/ɪkˈskludɪŋ/ /ɛkˈskludɪŋ/

To bar (someone) from entering; to keep out.

"The bouncer was excluding anyone who wasn't wearing proper shoes. "

Illustration examination

examination noun

/ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/

The act of examining.

"The examination of the patient's symptoms took several hours. "

Illustration deriving

deriving verb

/dɪˈraɪvɪŋ/ /diˈraɪvɪŋ/

To obtain or receive (something) from something else.

"The student is deriving knowledge from the textbook. "

Illustration determine

determine verb

/dɪˈtɜːmɪn/ /dɪˈtɝmɪn/

To set the boundaries or limits of.

"The teacher determined the rules for the classroom project, setting clear limits on the length of presentations. "

Illustration periodontal

periodontal adjective

/ˌpɛriːoʊˈdɑntl/ /ˌpɪəriːəˈdɒntl/

Surrounding a tooth

"The dentist checked my gums for any signs of periodontal disease, which affects the tissues surrounding the teeth. "

Illustration position

position noun

/pəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/

A place or location.

"My favorite position in the classroom is near the window. "

Illustration calculate

calculate verb

/ˈkælkjəleɪt/

To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.

"Calculate the square root of 3 to 10 decimal places."

Illustration longitude

longitude noun

/-tʃuːd/ /ˈlɑndʒəˌtud/

Angular distance measured west or east of the prime meridian.

"My brother's new job is in a city with a longitude of 120 degrees east. "

Illustration distances

distances noun

/ˈdɪstənsɪz/ /ˈdɪstənsɪz/

The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

"From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok."

Illustration latitude

latitude noun

/ˈlæt.ɪ.tjuːd/ /ˈlæt.ə.tjud/

The angular distance north or south from a planet's equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.

"My sister lives at a high latitude in Canada, far north of the equator. "

Illustration navigational

navigational adjective

/ˌnævɪˈɡeɪʃənəl/ /ˌnævəˈɡeɪʃənəl/

Pertaining to navigation.

"The navigational charts were helpful for finding the best route to Grandma's house. "

Illustration ensuring

ensuring verb

/ɪnˈʃɔːɹɪŋ/ /ɪnˈʃɝɪŋ/

To make a pledge to (someone); to promise, guarantee (someone of something); to assure.

"My parents are ensuring my younger sister gets to school on time every day. "