equinoctial line

equinoctial line
Equator E*qua"tor, n. [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F. ['e]quateur equator. See {Equate}.] 1. (Geog.) The imaginary great circle on the earth's surface, everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres. [1913 Webster]

2. (Astron.) The great circle of the celestial sphere, coincident with the plane of the earth's equator; -- so called because when the sun is in it, the days and nights are of equal length; hence called also the {equinoctial}, and on maps, globes, etc., the {equinoctial line}. [1913 Webster]

{Equator of the sun} or {Equator of a planet} (Astron.), the great circle whose plane passes through through the center of the body, and is perpendicular to its axis of revolution.

{Magnetic equator}. See {Aclinic}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Equinoctial line — Equinoctial E qui*noc tial, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. [ e]quinoxial. See {Equinox}.] 1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • equinoctial line — noun the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles • Syn: ↑celestial equator, ↑equinoctial circle, ↑equinoctial • Derivationally related forms: ↑equinoctial (for: ↑equinoctial) …   Useful english dictionary

  • equinoctial line — /ˌikwənɒkʃəl ˈlaɪn/ (say .eekwuhnokshuhl luyn) noun the celestial equator. Also, equinoctial circle …  

  • equinoctial line. — See celestial equator. [1350 1400; ME] * * * …   Universalium

  • equinoctial line. — See celestial equator. [1350 1400; ME] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Equinoctial — E qui*noc tial, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. [ e]quinoxial. See {Equinox}.] 1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] 2. Pertaining to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Equinoctial colure — Equinoctial E qui*noc tial, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. [ e]quinoxial. See {Equinox}.] 1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Equinoctial points — Equinoctial E qui*noc tial, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. [ e]quinoxial. See {Equinox}.] 1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Equinoctial time — Equinoctial E qui*noc tial, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. [ e]quinoxial. See {Equinox}.] 1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Equinoctial — E qui*noc tial, n. The equinoctial line. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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