An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

Relating to, or based on, the number 60.

From M.L. sexagesimalis, from L. sexagesimus "sixtieth," from sexaginta "sixty."

Šast-šasti, from Šast, → sixty.

A number system whose base is 60. It originated with the ancient Sumerians around 2000 B.C., was transmitted to the Babylonians, and is still used in modified form for measuring time, angles, and geographic coordinates.

→ sexagesimal; → system.