Compass vs. Sextant

Compassnoun

A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).

Compassnoun

A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle).

Compassnoun

(music) The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.

Compassnoun

(obsolete) A space within limits; an area.

Compassnoun

(obsolete) An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.

Compassnoun

Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.

Compassnoun

(archaic) scope.

Compassnoun

(obsolete) A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.

Compassverb

To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.

Compassverb

To go about or round entirely; to traverse.

Compassverb

(dated) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.

Compassverb

(dated) To plot; to scheme (against someone).

Compassadverb

(obsolete) In a circuit; round about.

Compassnoun

A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.

Compassnoun

An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; as, within the compass of an encircling wall.

Compassnoun

An inclosed space; an area; extent.

Compassnoun

Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; as, the compass of his eye; the compass of imagination.

Compassnoun

Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; - used with within.

Compassnoun

The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument.

Compassnoun

An instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction.

Compassnoun

A pair of compasses.

Compassnoun

A circle; a continent.

Compassverb

To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.

Compassverb

To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest; to besiege; - used with about, round, around, and round about.

Compassverb

To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish.

Compassverb

To curve; to bend into a circular form.

Compassverb

To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.

Compassnoun

navigational instrument for finding directions

Compassnoun

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:

Compassnoun

the limit of capability;

Compassnoun

drafting instrument used for drawing circles

Compassverb

bring about; accomplish;

Compassverb

travel around, either by plane or ship;

Compassverb

get the meaning of something;

Compassnoun

an instrument containing a magnetized pointer which shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it

Compassnoun

an instrument for drawing circles and arcs and measuring distances between points, consisting of two arms linked by a movable joint, one arm ending in a point and the other usually carrying a pencil or pen

Compassnoun

the range or scope of something

Compassnoun

the enclosing limits of an area

Compassnoun

the range of notes that can be produced by a voice or a musical instrument

Compassverb

go round (something) in a circular course

Compassverb

surround or hem in on all sides

Compassverb

contrive to accomplish (something)

Compass

A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with magnetic north.

Sextantnoun

(nautical) A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.

Sextantnoun

(geometry) One sixth of a circle or disc; a sector with an angle of 60°.

Sextantnoun

(dentistry) One of six groups of adjacent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth. The front sextants go from canine to canine, and there are sextants on the right and left of these. See w:Periodontal examination.

Sextantnoun

The sixth part of a circle.

Sextantnoun

An instrument for measuring angular distances between objects, - used esp. at sea, for ascertaining the latitude and longitude. It is constructed on the same optical principle as Hadley's quadrant, but usually of metal, with a nicer graduation, telescopic sight, and its arc the sixth, and sometimes the third, part of a circle. See Quadrant.

Sextantnoun

The constellation Sextans.

Sextantnoun

a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

Sextantnoun

a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant

Sextantnoun

an instrument with a graduated arc of 60° and a sighting mechanism, used for measuring the angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation and surveying.

Sextant

A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.