quadrans

[ kwod-ranz ]

noun

, plural quad·ran·tes [kwo-, dran, -teez].

1. a bronze coin of ancient Rome, the fourth part of an as.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadrans¹

From the Latin word quadrāns literally, fourth part

Example Sentences

The year starts with the Quadrantid meteor shower, named after Quadrans Muralis, an archaic constellation that modern astronomers lump in with the constellation known as Boötes.

From New York Times

The Quadrantids get their name from the obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, which fell out of favor in the 1920s.

From National Geographic

The shower’s name comes from “Quadrans Muralis,” a constellation that does not exist anymore, discovered by French astronomer Jerome Lalande in 1795.

From Time

"Located between the constellations Bootes and Draco, Quadrans represents an early astronomical instrument used to observe and plot stars," they added.

From Scientific American

We even know the price which was paid for being ferried across the Velabrum: "it was a quadrans, three times as much as one pays now for the boat at the Ripetta."

From Project Gutenberg