quintant

[ kwin-tnt ]

noun

, Navigation.

1. a sextant having an arc equal to one fifth of a circle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintant¹

1675–85; quint- (< Latin quīntus fifth ) + -ant (as in quadrant )

Example Sentences

Joe Quintant, charged with failing to display 1953 plates on his car, was excused by the judge when he explained that the last time he tried to put on the new plates, an old back injury flared up and sent him to the hospital for three weeks.

From Time Magazine Archive

The flat bar which carries the nonius scale and index-glass of a quadrant, octant, quintant, or sextant.

From Project Gutenberg

An instrument used instead of a sextant, quintant, or quadrant; but the quintant embraces as much—viz.

From Project Gutenberg

Having successfully performed this duty, and obtained the observations he required, Mr. Yule thought it high time to return on board; but the surf had in the meantime increased so heavily, that in the attempt the second gig was swamped, and every thing in her, including the arms, lost, except the quintant and chronometer, the boat herself being with difficulty saved by being towed outside the surf by the other gig.

From Project Gutenberg

My quintant was first wrested from my coxswain, who in a tone of grief made me known the circumstance.

From Project Gutenberg