How Do You Spell SEXTARY?

Pronunciation: [sˈɛkstəɹi] (IPA)

The word "Sextary" is a commonly misspelled word. The correct spelling of this word is "Sextant" /ˈsɛk.stənt/. The "a" and "r" in "Sextary" are often interchanged by mistake. The word is derived from the Latin word "sextans" which means one sixth, and the instrument measures the angle between two points - often used for celestial navigation. It's important to use the correct spelling of this word, especially in technical contexts where precision is crucial.

SEXTARY Meaning and Definition

1. Sextary is a term that has multiple meanings depending on the context. In ancient Roman times, a sextary referred to a specific unit of liquid measure equal to approximately one-sixth of an amphora, or around half a liter. It was commonly used to measure liquids such as wine or oil.

   In the field of astronomy, a sextary is a type of navigational instrument used for determining celestial coordinates and angles. It typically consists of a sixth of a circle, divided into 60 degrees, which allows for accurate measurements when observing the positions of stars and other celestial bodies. This instrument was especially useful for determining the height of celestial bodies above the horizon, aiding in navigation.

   Additionally, 'sextary' can also refer to a historic device used for measuring weights. It consists of a balance with two pans, allowing for the comparison of different weights. This type of instrument was commonly used in apothecaries and in the analysis of precious metals and gems.

   Overall, 'sextary' can refer to different things depending on the field of study or historical context; it can denote a unit of liquid measure in ancient Rome, a type of navigational instrument in astronomy, or a balance used for weighing objects.

Common Misspellings for SEXTARY

• sextaty

Etymology of SEXTARY

The word "sextary" is derived from the Latin term "sextarius". In ancient Rome, the "sextarius" was a unit of measurement used for liquids, approximately equivalent to 0.5478 liters or 1/48 of an amphora. The term "sextarius" itself likely comes from the Latin word "sextus", meaning "sixth". This measurement represented one-sixth of the larger amphora. Over time, the word "sextary" evolved to refer to a vessel or container holding a sextarius of liquid, and later came to represent a unit of volume itself.