solstice

English

Etymology

    From Middle English solstice, from Old French solstice, from Latin sōlstitium.

    Pronunciation

    • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɒl.stɪs/, /ˈsəʊl.stɪs/
    • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɑl.stɪs/, /ˈsoʊl.stɪs/
    • Audio (Southern England):(file)
    • Rhymes: -ɒlstɪs, -əʊlstɪs

    Noun

    solstice (plural solstices)

    1. 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.
      Synonym: sunstead
      Hyponyms: summer solstice, winter solstice
      Coordinate terms: equinox, lunistice
      • 2010, Capt Sp Meek, The Solar Magnet[1]:
        The point at which the sun is nearest to the south pole we call the winter solstice, and the opposite point, the summer solstice.

    Antonyms

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    French

    Etymology

      Inherited from Old French solstice, borrowed from Latin sōlstitium, from sōl + sistō + -ium.

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /sɔl.stis/
      • Audio:(file)
      • Audio (Switzerland):(file)
      • Rhymes: -is

      Noun

      solstice m (plural solstices)

      1. (astronomy) solstice
        Hyponyms: solstice d'été, solstice d'hiver

      Descendants

      • Haitian Creole: sòlstis

      Further reading

      Middle English

      Alternative forms

      • solsticium

      Etymology

        From Old French solstice and Latin sōlstitium.

        Noun

        solstice (plural solstices)

        1. (summer or winter)
        2. the day of the

        Descendants

        References

        Old French

        Etymology

          Learned borrowing from Latin sōlstitium.

          Noun

          solstice oblique singularm (oblique plural solstices, nominative singular solstices, nominative plural solstice)

          1. (astronomy) solstice

          Descendants