What does sextant mean?
An instrument used for measuring the angle between the sun, moon, or stars and the horizon, typically used for navigation. A sextant is a type of octant, a refracting circle used to measure the angle between two celestial bodies.
Example
"The sailor used a sextant to determine their latitude at sea."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.