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octant

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oc⋅tant

  [ok-tuhnt]
–noun
1. the eighth part of a circle.
2. Mathematics. any of the eight parts into which three mutually perpendicular planes divide space.
3. an instrument having an arc of 24°, used by navigators for measuring angles up to 90°.
4. the position of one heavenly body when 45° distant from another.
5. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Octans.
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Origin:
1680–90; < L octant- (s. of octāns); see Octans

Related forms:
oc⋅tan⋅tal  [ok-tan-tl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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oc·tant   (ŏk'tənt)   
n.  

  1. One eighth of a circle.

    1. A 45° arc.

    2. The area enclosed by two radii at a 45° angle and the intersected arc.

  3. An instrument based on the principle of the sextant but employing only a 45° angle, used as an aid in navigation.

  4. Astronomy The position of a celestial body when it is separated from another by a 45° angle.

  5. One of eight parts into which three-dimensional space is divided by three usually perpendicular coordinate planes.


[Latin octāns, octant-, from octō, eight; see oktō(u) in Indo-European roots.]
oc·tan'tal (ŏk-tān'təl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

octant 
"instrument for making angular measurements in navigation or astronomy," 1731, from L.L. octans, from octo "eight" (see octa-).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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