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quadrant
quadrant 1 In analytic geometry, one of the four regions of the plane determined by two lines, the x- axis and the y- axis. Commonly these lines are drawn perpendicular to each other, and the quadrants, or regions, they determine are numbered counterclockwise, beginning with the upper right quadrant. 2 In geometry, a region of a plane determined by two perpendicular radii of a circle and the circle itself. Thus two perpendicular diameters of a circle divide it into four regions, or quadrants. |
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"quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-quadrant1.html "quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-quadrant1.html |
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quadrant
quadrant, from Latin quadrans, the fourth part. (1) The name given to a variety of nautical astronomical instruments. See cross-staff; davis's quadrant; hadley's reflecting quadrant; quintant; seaman's quadrant. (2) The quarter of a circle, used particularly in relation to the magnetic compass card graduated in degrees instead of points. (3) A fitting on a ship's rudder which received the steering wires.
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"quadrant." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "quadrant." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-quadrant.html "quadrant." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-quadrant.html |
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quadrant
quadrant ˈkwädrənt n.
1. an instrument used for taking angular measurements of altitude in astronomy and navigation, typically consisting of a graduated quarter circle and a sighting mechanism. 2. a frame fixed to the head of a ship's rudder, to which the steering mechanism is attached. |
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"quadrant." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "quadrant." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-quadrant.html "quadrant." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-quadrant.html |
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quadrant
quadrant An obsolete navigational instrument used for measuring angles. It consisted of an engraved arc of a quarter of a circle, with a plumb line suspended from the centre of the circle. Stars were sighted along one arm and their elevation was read off the scale against the plumb line.
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"quadrant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "quadrant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-quadrant.html "quadrant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-quadrant.html |
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quadrant
quadrant †fourth part, quarter, now only of a quarter-circle; instrument (of the form of a graduated quarter-circle) used for making angular measurements. XIV. — L. quadrāns, -ant- quarter, orig. of the as; see QUADRI-.
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T. F. HOAD. "quadrant." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "quadrant." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-quadrant.html T. F. HOAD. "quadrant." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-quadrant.html |
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quadrant
quadrant in technology, angle-measuring device based on a scale of 90°. It is sometimes confused with the sextant , a similar instrument based on a scale of 60°. The quadrant is rarely used today. |
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Cite this article
"quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-quadrant2.html "quadrant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-quadrant2.html |
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