sexagesimal

[sek-suh-jes-uh-muhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or based upon the number 60.

noun

1. a fraction whose denominator is 60 or a power of 60.

sexagesimal

/ ˌsɛksəˈdʒɛsɪməl /

adjective

1. relating to or based on the number 60

   sexagesimal measurement of angles

noun

1. a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 60; a sixtieth

Word History and Origins

Origin of sexagesimal¹

From the Medieval Latin word sexāgēsimālis, dating back to 1675–85. See Sexagesima, -al ¹

Example Sentences

That same astronomical thinking led them to patch the ancient Babylonian method of counting by 60, the sexagesimal system, onto the hour.

From Seattle Times

For astronomical purposes the Greeks adopted a sexagesimal number system and even divided hours into 60 minutes, and minutes into 60 seconds.

From Literature

What does factoradic do that you can’t get with binary, decimal, sexagesimal, or any of the other infinitely many other number bases you could choose instead?

From Scientific American

The ancient Babylonians used a sexagesimal, or base 60, system.

From Salon

Specifically, I was irritated at the strange remarks one of the researchers made about the relative utility of base 60, or sexagesimal, versus the base 10, or decimal, system we use today. 

From Scientific American