OCTANTS Meaning and
Definition
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Octants are a navigational instrument used primarily in maritime exploration to determine a ship's position in relation to celestial bodies. Derived from the Latin word "octans," meaning "one eighth," octants are so named due to their basic structure resembling one-eighth of a circle.
Consisting of a graduated arc, typically measuring 45 degrees, an octant features a movable index arm with a small mirror attached. This mirror allows the observer to align the image of a celestial object with the horizon, thus measuring the angular distance between them. By comparing this angle to known values, such as those provided in nautical almanacs, sailors can determine their latitude and, in combination with other navigation tools, their longitude.
Octants were developed in the late 18th century as an improvement to quadrant instruments, which were limited in their accuracy. The sextant, a more refined version of the octant, eventually replaced octants due to its improved precision and ease of use.
While octants are no longer in widespread use today, they played a significant role in the history of navigation, particularly during the Age of Discovery. Their invention revolutionized maritime travel, enabling explorers to accurately chart their positions across vast oceans and make more precise navigational calculations.
Common Misspellings for OCTANTS
- octans
- octent
- ictants
- kctants
- lctants
- pctants
- 0ctants
- 9ctants
- oxtants
- ovtants
- oftants
- odtants
- ocrants
- ocfants
- ocgants
- ocyants
- oc6ants
- oc5ants
- octznts
- octsnts
Etymology of OCTANTS
The word "octants" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
The term "octant" comes from the Latin word "octans", which means "one-eighth". This Latin word is derived from the Latin verb "octare", meaning "to divide into eight parts".
In antiquity, the concept of dividing a circle into eight parts was significant in several fields, including astronomy and navigation. The octant, a navigational instrument used to determine the angle between an observed object and the horizon, got its name due to its ability to measure angles of up to one-eighth of a circle, or 45 degrees.
The Latin word "octans" evolved into the French word "octant", which eventually entered English in the mid-18th century.
Similar spelling words for OCTANTS
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