- A quarter of a circle; an arc of 90°.
- Any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by a pair of rectangular axes.
- An instrument, usually containing a graduated arc of 90°, formerly used in astronomy and
navigation to measure the angles and altitudes of stars.
→ mural quadrant.
Etymology (EN): M.E., from L. quadrantem (nominative quadrans) “fourth part.”
Etymology (PE): Cârakân, from cârak + -ân.
Cârak “quarter,” literally “fourth, a fourth part of one,”
from câr, variant of cahâr, → four, cognate with L.
quattuor, + -ak, contraction
of yak “one,”
from Mid.Pers. êwak (Proto-Iranian *aiua-ka-);
O.Pers. aiva- “one, alone;” Av. aēuua- “one, alone” (cf. Skt.
éka- “one, alone, single;” Gk. oios “alone, lonely;” L. unus “one;”
E. one); -ân nuance suffix.
