| Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 3,901,810,340 visitors served. |
Dictionary/ thesaurus | Medical dictionary | Legal dictionary | Financial dictionary | Acronyms | Idioms | Encyclopedia | Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
Quadrant |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Wikipedia | 0.01 sec. |
|
|
quadrant, in analytic geometryquadrant.1 In analytic geometry, one of the four regions of the plane determined by two lines, the x-axis and the y-axis. Commonly these lines are drawn perpendicular to each other, and the quadrants, or regions, they determine are numbered counterclockwise, beginning with the upper right quadrant. 2 In geometry, a region of a plane determined by two perpendicular radii of a circle and the circle itself. Thus two perpendicular diameters of a circle divide it into four regions, or quadrants. quadrant, in technologyquadrant, in technology, angle-measuring device based on a scale of 90°. It is sometimes confused with the sextant sextant, instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun or another celestial body; such measurements can then be used to determine the observer's geographical position or for other navigational, surveying, or astronomical applications...... Click the link for more information. , a similar instrument based on a scale of 60°. The quadrant is rarely used today. quadrant 1. Geometry a. a quarter of the circumference of a circle b. the area enclosed by two perpendicular radii of a circle and its circumference c. any of the four sections into which a plane is divided by two coordinate axes 2. a piece of a mechanism in the form of a quarter circle, esp one used as a cam or a gear sector 3. an instrument formerly used in astronomy and navigation for measuring the altitudes of stars, consisting of a graduated arc of 90? and a sighting mechanism attached to a movable arm quadrant [′kwä·drənt] (anatomy) One of the four regions into which the abdomen may be divided for purposes of physical diagnosis. (electromagnetism) (engineering) An instrument for measuring altitudes, used, for example, in astronomy, surveying, and gunnery; employs a sight that can be moved through a graduated 90° arc. A lever that can move through a 90° arc. (mathematics) A quarter of a circle; either an arc of 90° or the area bounded by such an arc and the two radii. Any of the four regions into which the plane is divided by a pair of coordinate axes. (mechanical engineering) A device for converting horizontal reciprocating motion to vertical reciprocating motion. (navigation) One of the four areas between consecutive equisignal zones of a four course radio range station. (naval architecture) A casting, forging, or built-up frame in the shape of a sector of a circle attached to the rudder stock and through which the steering gear leads turn the rudder. (optics) A double-reflecting instrument for measuring angles, used primarily for measuring altitudes of celestial bodies; the instrument was replaced by the sextant. (physiology) A sector of one-fourth of the field of vision of one or both eyes. quadrant 1. An angle-measuring instrument used for measuring elevations. 2. A quarter-round molding. 3. A device for fastening together the upper and lower leaves of a Dutch door. 4. A quadrant stay. Quadrant in astronomy, an astronomical angle-measuring instrument that was used to measure the altitudes of celestial bodies above the horizon and the angular separations between bodies. A quadrant consisted of a quarter-circle, whose arc was divided into degrees and fractions of a degree, usually mounted in a vertical plane. A straightedge with diopters or a viewing tube usually rotated around the axis passing through the center of the circle and situated perpendicularly to its plane. Large mural quadrants were used in the past at astronomical observatories; these were fixed to stone walls of the building. Quadrants cease to be used at the end of the 17th century. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|
| Mentioned in | ? | Encyclopedia browser | ? | Full browser | ? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No references found |
qdrnt |
QDOE QDOS QDOS QDOS (disambiguation) QDOT QDOT QDOT QDOTs QDP QDPA QDPC QDPD QDPE QDPI QDPIF QDPQ QDPS QDPSH QDPSK QDPT QdQ QDQC QDQW QDR QDRA QDRI QDRK qdrnt QDROQDRP QDRSRAM QDS QDSA QDSB QDSC QDSD QDSE QDSM QDSP QDSS QDT QDTA QDU QDUC QDV QDVB QDVP QDVPT QDW QDWI QDWR QDWT | |||||
| Encyclopedia |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Free toolbar & extensions |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup |
|---|