Main Entry:: quad·rant
Pronunciation:: \ˈkwä-drənt\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four
Date:: 15th century

1 a: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction b: a device or mechanical part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle2 a: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle b: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii3 a: any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane b: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

— qua·dran·tal

\kwä-ˈdran-t^əl\ adjective

[quadrant illustration]

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