A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1535, 1600-1699
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Quadrant, n. Also: quadrent, quadron. [ME (1398) and e.m.E. quadrant, L. quadrans, quadrant-is fourth part, quarter.]
1. ‘An instrument, properly having the form of a graduated quarter-circle, used for making angular measurements’ (OED). a. The instrument of this sort used in astronomy and navigation.c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 318.
As he sett the quadrant till his e c1460 Ib. MS 5130.
And tuke his austrolabe and his quadrant At evin and lukit vp in the firmament a1500 Henr. Fab. 642.
Bot astrolab, quadrant, or almanak 1535 Stewart 2988.
Quadrent 1667 Edinburgh Testaments LXXIII 86.
Ane quadron … with … some small instruments belonging to ane seaman
b. A ‘gunner's quadrant’, a similar instrument used in gunnery, ? to guide the gunner in levelling or elevating the gun.1508 Treasurer's Accounts IV 110.
That he gaif for iij unce brint silvir to mak iij quadrantis for gunnis
2. a. A farthing, quarter of one penny.As a rendering of, or after, med. L. quadrans; cf. also AF quadrant id.c1420 Bute MS fol. 167b.
Qwhen it is dry it sal wey xlii s. ii d. & obl. & a quadrant c1420 Ib. fol. 170b.
Of ilk hors or kw gangand qwhar custome suld be gyfyn i quadrant 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 123b.
And hee quha hes not ane covered stand … sall giue ane quadrant (farding) 1609 Ib. 134.
[A thief taken with] aucht pennies and ane quadrant … And fra aucht pennies vntill sixtene and ane halfe pennie 1609 Ib. 126b.
b. Rendering L. quadrans, the fourth part of a Roman as. —1533 Bell. Livy I 270/10.
Ilk man … left ane quadrent … to caus him be the more richely buryit
3. A geographical area comparable in shape to the fourth part of a circle.16.. Symson Descr. Galloway (1823) 119.
The thrid quadrant … is betwixt Minigoff and the head of Kenn 16.. Ib. 120.
This fourth part of the Stuartry faileth much from the nature of ane quadrant, for Nithsdale doeth incroach upon its very chord
