sexagesimal
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌsɛksəˈdʒɛsɪməl/
KK: /sɛkˈsædʒɪməl/
adjective
Definition
Relating to or based on the number sixty, often used in contexts like time measurement or angles.
Example
The angles in a circle can be measured using a sexagesimal system, where a full circle is 360 degrees.
Conversation
Have you ever heard of the term sexagesimal?
Yeah, it has to do with the number 60, right?
Exactly! It's often used in mathematics and time calculations.
That's interesting, I didn't realize how much we rely on it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
sixtyfold
hexacontal
sexagenary
Antonyms
noun
Definition
A system of counting or measuring based on the number sixty, often used in mathematics and timekeeping.
Example
The ancient Babylonians used a sexagesimal system for their calculations.
Conversation
Did you know that the ancient Babylonians used a sexagesimal system for their math?
Really? I had no idea it was that old!
Yeah, they based it on the number 60, which is why we have 60 seconds in a minute.
Root Explanation
Sexagesimal → It is formed from "sexaginta" (Latin for sixty) and "-esimal" (from Latin "-esimus", meaning ordinal number). The word refers to a numerical system based on the number sixty.
Memory Tip
Think of 'sixty' in Latin ('sexaginta') to remember that 'sexagesimal' relates to a system based on sixty.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.