Lexic.us

Definition of Solstice

1. Noun. Either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

Definition of Solstice

1. n. A stopping or standing still of the sun.

Definition of Solstice

1. Noun. One of the two points in the ecliptic at which the sun is furthest from the celestial equator. This corresponds to one of two days in the year when the day is either longest or shortest. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Solstice

1. the time of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator [n -S]

Medical Definition of Solstice

1. 1. A stopping or standing still of the sun. 2. The point in the ecliptic at which the sun is farthest from the equator, north or south, namely, the first point of the sign Cancer and the first point of the sign Capricorn, the former being the summer solstice, latter the winter solstice, in northern latitudes; so called because the sun then apparently stands still in its northward or southward motion. The time of the sun's passing the solstices, or solstitial points, namely, about June 21 and December 21. Origin: L. Solstitium; sol the sun + sistere to cause to stand, akin to stare to stand: cf. F. Solstice. See Solar, Stand. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Solstice

Literary usage of Solstice

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of the English Language: In which the Words are Deduced from ...by Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson (1805)
"Happening at the solstice, or at midsummer. 3. Gloomy ; dismal. 1 >ry •!.-!<. ... I. Belonging to the solstice. aft,i tbe equinoctial MM ..."

2. Transactions by Cambridge Philosophical Society (1830)
"STRABO in the second book of his Geography has recorded an observation of the Winter solstice made at Alexandria, which, as far as I know, ..."

3. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by Charles Anderson Dana (1876)
"solstice (Lat. sol, the sun, and stare, to stand), the period in the annual ... For several days before and after the solstice there is but a slight ..."

4. Encyclopaedia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature by Francis Lieber, Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1832)
"solstice, in astronomy ; that tiny when the sun is in one of the solstitial points ... The solstices are two in each year, the estival or summer solstice, ..."

5. Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1832)
"Observation of the Winter solstice of 1812, with the Mural Circle at Greenwich. By John Pond, Esq. Astronomer Royal, FRS Read February 25, 1813. [Phil. ..."

6. Observations on Popular Antiquities Chiefly Illustrating the Origin of Our by John Brand, Henry Ellis (1900)
"SUMMER solstice. MIDSUMMER EVE. The Vigil of St John Baptist's Day. THE pagan rites of this festival at the summer solstice may be considered as a ..."

7. The Old and New Testament Connected in the History of the Jews and by Humphrey Prideaux (1845)
"... and thenceforth also began their year from the new moon preceding; whereas before they began it from the winter solstice; and they calculated both the ..."

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