quadrant
- a quarter of a circle; an arc of 90°.
- the area included between such an arc and two radii drawn one to each extremity.
- something shaped like a quarter of a circle, as a part of a machine.
- Geometry, Astronomy. one of the four parts into which a plane, as the face of a heavenly body, is divided by two perpendicular lines, numbered counterclockwise from upper right: the first quadrant of the moon.
- an instrument, usually containing a graduated arc of 90°, used in astronomy, navigation, etc., for measuring altitudes.
- Astrology. one of the four quarters of the horoscope: determined by the ascendant, nadir, descendant, and midheaven and numbered counterclockwise from the ascendant.
- Furniture. one of two metal sliding pieces, of quadrant form, used to support the fall front of a desk from above.
Origin of quadrant
Related Words for quadrant
term, portion, part, fourth, division, span, section, semester, quad, quadrant, farthing, quartern, quadrangle, quadruplet, quadraphonicExamples from the Web for quadrant
Contemporary Examples of quadrant
Point it south and it shows you the stars and planets in that quadrant of the sky.
Apps for Kids Who Love to Read: Moonbot Studios, Touch Press, and MoreMalcolm Jones
December 24, 2011
People forget all too readily, but Greenspan is a consultant to Pimco, the largest bond manager in this quadrant of the galaxy.
Historical Examples of quadrant
If the rudder is to be kept in a certain adjustment a quadrant is necessary.
Boys' Book of Model BoatsRaymond Francis Yates
Later on, these actions of the Quadrant will be carefully examined.
The Story of the Cotton PlantFrederick Wilkinson
This operation is closely associated, however, with the action of the quadrant.
The Story of the Cotton PlantFrederick Wilkinson
Each of the four parts is called a quadrant, and each quadrant has 90 degrees.
Practical Mechanics for BoysJ. S. Zerbe
You were on the board in that quadrant of the ship, and you let it get in too close.
But, I Don't ThinkGordon Randall Garrett
quadrant
- geometry
- a quarter of the circumference of a circle
- the area enclosed by two perpendicular radii of a circle and its circumference
- any of the four sections into which a plane is divided by two coordinate axes
- a piece of a mechanism in the form of a quarter circle, esp one used as a cam or a gear sector
- an instrument formerly used in astronomy and navigation for measuring the altitudes of stars, consisting of a graduated arc of 90° and a sighting mechanism attached to a movable arm
Word Origin for quadrant
Word Origin and History for quadrant
late 14c., "a quarter of a day, six hours," from Middle French quadrant, from Latin quadrantem (nominative quadrans) "fourth part," also the name of a coin worth a quarter of an as, noun use of present participle of quadrare "to make square; put in order, arrange, complete; run parallel, be exact," figuratively "to fit, suit, be proper," related to quadrus "a square," quattuor "four" (see four). The surveying instrument is first so called c.1400, because it forms a quarter circle. Related: Quadrantal.
quadrant
(kwŏd′rənt)- A circular arc of 90 degrees; one fourth of the circumference of a circle.
- A quarter portion of any roughly circular anatomical area such as the abdomen, measuring along imaginary axes at right angles to each other.
quadrant
- An arc equal to one quarter of the circumference of a circle; an arc of 90°.
- Any of the four regions into which a plane is divided by the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. The quadrants are numbered counterclockwise one through four, beginning with the quadrant in which both the x- and y-coordinates are positive (usually the upper right quadrant).
- A navigational instrument similar to a sextant but with an arc of 90° rather than 60°. See more at sextant.