cercle astronomique
English translation: quadrant
| 11:30 Nov 24, 2008 |
| French to English translations [PRO] Ships, Sailing, Maritime / navigational tools | |||||||
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|  Selected response from: Graham macLachlan Local time: 02:28 | ||||||
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| Summary of answers provided | ||||
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| 5 +5 | quadrant |
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| 4 | could be Astronomical Circle |
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| 4 | reflecting circle |
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| Summary of reference entries provided | |||
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| CERCLE A REFLEXION |
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| Reflecting instruments |
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| Discussion entries: 3 | |
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Answers
10 mins confidence: 
could be Astronomical Circle Explanation: An Account of Observations Made with the Eight Feet Astronomical Circle, at the Observatory of Trinity College, Dublin, since the Beginning of the Year 1818 ... links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0261-0523(1821)111%3C327%3AAAOOMW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L |
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40 mins confidence:
reflecting circle Explanation: see ref. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2008-11-24 12:33:57 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- The full-circle instrument would be more appropriate for an observatory. So they could be talking of a fragment from one. |
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3 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +5
peer agreement (net): +5quadrant Explanation: An instrument for taking angular measurements of altitude (formerly esp. in astronomy and navigation), usu. consisting of a graduated quarter-circle and a sighting mechanism. LME. OED -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 4 mins (2008-11-24 11:34:58 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- quart de cercle, quart-de-cercle mar., nav. ,, Instrument ancien de l'astronomie de position, dans lequel une lunette de visée est mobile dans un plan vertical, et accolée à un grand quart de cercle fixe divisé très finement sur lequel on lit les rotations de la lunette`` (MULLER 1980). Synon. quadrant. TLF -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2008-11-24 12:38:18 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- cf. octant An instrument in the form of a graduated eighth of a circle, used for making angular measurements, esp. in astronomy and navigation. M18. OED sextant An instrument consisting of a graduated arc equal to a sixth part of a circle and a sighting mechanism, used for measuring angular distances between objects and esp. for taking altitudes in astronomy and navigation. E17. OED Reflecting circle ...a complete circular instrument graduated to 720°. ... As a navigation instrument, the reflecting circle was more popular with the ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflecting_instrument |
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