sexagesimal, a. and n.
(sɛksəˈdʒɛsɪməl)
[ad. med.L. sexāgēsimālis, f. L. sexāgēsimus (see next).]
A. adj. Proceeding by sixties; esp. pertaining to, involving, or based upon division into sixty equal parts (as seconds and minutes).
sexagesimal arithmetic, a method of computation based on the number 60. sexagesimal table = sexagenary table.
| 1685 Wallis Alg. vii. 20 Concerning this Process, by Sexagesimal Multiplication. Ibid., The Sexagesimal Tables of Multiplication. Ibid. 21 The Arabs..have introduced..their Table of Sines.., expressed in like manner by Sexagesimal Parts. 1694 tr. Oughtred's Key Math. 29 If there be several Sexagesimal Species joined to Integers, suppose 127. 32{p}·00{pp}·09{p}{pp}·45{pp}{pp}. 1728 Chambers Cycl., Sexagesimal, or Sexagenary Arithmetic, a Method of Computation, proceeding by Sixties. 1780 M. Taylor (title) A Sexagesimal Table, exhibiting, at sight, the result of any proportion, where the terms do not exceed sixty minutes. 1785 Hutton Math. Tables 1 The sexagesimal division both of the radius and of the parts [of every circle]. 1826 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) I. 439/2 Stifelius ventured to simplify the sexagesimal notation. 1876 tr. J. Verne's Adv. Engl. & Russ. iv. 36 The length of the pendulum that beats the sexagesimal second. 1887 Academy 3 Sept. 144/2 The sexagesimal numeration which we employ for the division of the hour. |
b. sexagesimal fraction: a fraction whose denominator is 60 or a power of 60.
| 1685 Wallis Alg. vii. 19 Writers of Astronomical or Sexagesimal Fractions. 1749 S. Lowe Arithm. 72 Thus it is..that Sexagesimal fractions..are reduc'd to decimal. 1858 Catal. MSS. Univ. Libr. Camb. III. 61 A table of the square roots of numbers from 1 to 102, calculated to three places of sexagesimal fractions. |
B. n. pl. Sexagesimal fractions; also, the system of sexagesimal fractions.
| 1685 Wallis Alg. vii. 20 By this way of Multiplication and Division in Sexagesimals. 1694 tr. Oughtred's Key Math. 29 The Conversion of Sexagesimals into Decimals. 1706 W. Jones Syn. Palmar. Matheseos 93 By this Proposition, Fractions are reduced..into Decimals, Sexagessimals &c. 1794 S. Cunn Doctr. Fractions 62 Sexagesimals are such places of Figures below Unity, that decrease in a 60th rate. 1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. i. 25 The table is prepared as if for three places of sexagesimals. 1907 Athenæum 9 Nov. 589/1 The Elamites appear also to have used a decimal system of notation instead of the Babylonian sexagesimals. |
Hence sexaˈgesimally adv., into sixtieths.
| 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 489/1 The talent of the 80 grain system was sexagesimally divided. 1900 N. & Q. Ser. ix. V. 290/1 There is no utility, only needless complexity, in dividing 1° of arc sexagesimally. |