sexagesimal
/ˌsɛksəˈdʒɛsɪm(ə)l
/adjective
1Relating to or reckoning by sixtieths: a decimal system like ours or a sexagesimal system like the Babylonian
2Relating to the number sixty.In ancient Babylon a sexagesimal system, that is a base of 60, was in use....
- The Babylonian scale of enumeration is known as the sexagesimal system.
- Writing developed and counting was based on a sexagesimal system, that is to say base 60.
noun
(also sexagesimal fraction) A fraction based on sixtieths (i.e. with a denominator equal to a power of sixty), as in the divisions of the degree and hour.The first deals with integers, the second with proper common fractions, the third with improper fractions, and finally the fourth with sexagesimals....
- More fractions can therefore be represented as finite sexagesimal fractions than can as finite decimal fractions.
- In fact there are fascinating glimpses of the Babylonians coming to terms with the fact that division by 7 would lead to an infinite sexagesimal fraction.
Derivatives
sexagesimally
Origin
Late 17th century: from Latin sexagesimus 'sixtieth' + -al.
- wearisomeness
- wear off
- wear on
- wear oneself to a shadow
- wear one's heart on one's sleeve
- wear-resistant
- wear someone/thing down
- wear someone/thing out
- wear something out (also wear out)
- wear the silver fern
- wear the trousers
- wear thin
- weary
- wearying
- wearyingly
- weasand
- weasel
- weasel-faced
- weaselly
- weasel's snout
- weasel words
- weather
- weather balloon
- weather-beaten
- weatherboard