reflecting circle

noun

An astronomical instrument for measuring angles, like the sextant or octant, by the reflection of light from two plane mirrors which it carries, and differing from the sextant chiefly in having an entire circle.

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Meanings

nounreflecting circle (plural reflecting circles)

plural reflecting circles

  1. An astronomical instrument for measuring angles, like the sextant or octant, by the reflection of light from two plane mirrors which it carries, and differing from the sextant chiefly in having an entire circle.

Translations

French cercle de réflexion
  • cercle de réflexionTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

reflecting circle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflecting%20circle

MLA

“reflecting circle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflecting%20circle. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reflecting circle,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflecting%20circle.

Source: reflecting circle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.