The first thing we are going to do, before discovering the meaning of the term quadrant, is to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it derives from Latin, exactly from “cuandrant”, which can be translated as “that fits”. It is the result of the sum of two different parts:
-The word “quadrum”, which means “of four”.
-The suffix “-nte”, which is used to indicate “agent”.
A quadrant is something that fits : that is, it allows the shape of the square to be obtained or that makes different elements coincide. Depending on the context, the term has different meanings.
The instrument that presents a graduated quarter circle, used for measuring angles , is called a quadrant. Formerly used in nautical and astronomy, it consists of a graduated arc with two peepholes and a plumb line hanging from the vertex. Depending on the position of the plumb string on the bow, the measurement is obtained.
In this area, what is known as the Davis quadrant, which was invented in the 16th century, takes center stage. It came to serve as a substitute for both the quadrant and the astrolabe and was used to measure the height above the horizon in degrees presented by the Sun or even a star. It receives its name from an English sailor named John Davis, who was its creator and who spoke about it for the first time in a work written in 1594.
In the maritime world , each part of the four into which the nautical rose and the horizon are divided is called a quadrant. From north to east, we can distinguish between the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant and the fourth quadrant.
Geometry also uses the idea of quadrant to refer to the regions that are formed from the division of a plane by the axes of the Cartesian System. Its numbering is from I to IV , starting with the upper right sector and advancing counterclockwise.
Referring to the clock, precisely, we can add that the sundial that is drawn on a plane is known as a quadrant. In the Bible , in this framework, the quadrant of Ahaz is mentioned.
In the same way, we cannot ignore that, colloquially, the term quadrant is used with another meaning. Specifically, in Spain for example, that word is used to refer to the weekly or monthly document that in some companies collects the workers' schedules and shifts.
Thus, for example, in a nursing home you can create a quadrant in which each employee (cleaner, cook, assistant, nurse, psychologist...) can know which days of the following week they have to work and at what time, as well as which They are the days in which you have rest.
Quadrant, finally, was a coin of the Roman Empire that was equivalent to a quarter of the ace . The dial was made of copper, with an image of Janus on one side and a boat on the other.