Vernal equinox

Vernal equinox
Vernal Ver"nal, a. [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. ?, Skr. vasanta, Icel. v[=a]r, and E. Easter, east.] 1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life. [1913 Webster]

When after the long vernal day of life. --Thomson. [1913 Webster]

And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show? --Keble. [1913 Webster]

{Vernal equinox} (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward.

{Vernal grass} (Bot.), a low, soft grass ({Anthoxanthum odoratum}), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; -- also called {sweet vernal grass}. See Illust. in Appendix.

{Vernal signs} (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • vernal equinox — ► NOUN ▪ the spring equinox …   English terms dictionary

  • vernal equinox — 1. See under equinox (def. 1). 2. Also called vernal point. the position of the sun at the time of the vernal equinox. [1525 35] * * * …   Universalium

  • vernal equinox — /vɜnəl ˈikwənɒks/ (say vernuhl eekwuhnoks) noun 1. See equinox (def. 1). 2. Also, vernal point. the position of the sun on the celestial equator at the time of the vernal equinox …  

  • vernal equinox — noun 1. March 21 • Syn: ↑March equinox, ↑spring equinox • Ant: ↑autumnal equinox • Hypernyms: ↑equinox • Hyponyms: ↑Noruz, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • vernal equinox — Synonyms and related words: aphelion, apogee, astronomical longitude, autumnal equinox, celestial equator, celestial longitude, celestial meridian, circle, colures, ecliptic, equator, equinoctial, equinoctial circle, equinoctial colure, equinox,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • vernal equinox — noun a) the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading northward b) the point where the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator at that time …   Wiktionary

  • vernal equinox — i. That point of intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator occupied by the sun as it changes from a south to a north declination, on or about March 21. Also called the March equinox or the first point of Aries. ii. That instant the… …   Aviation dictionary

  • vernal equinox — noun 1》 the spring equinox. 2》 Astronomy another term for First Point of Aries (see Aries) …   English new terms dictionary

  • vernal equinox — ver′nal e′quinox n. astron. See under equinox • Etymology: 1525–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • Vernal Equinox —    The first day of spring, about March 21, this is when the day and night are of equal length and the Sun rises due east and sets due west. See Autumnal Equinox …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

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