Equinoctial points

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. Pertaining to the regions or climate of the equinoctial line or equator; in or near that line; as, equinoctial heat; an equinoctial sun. [1913 Webster]

3. Pertaining to the time when the sun enters the equinoctial points; as, an equinoctial gale or storm, that is, one happening at or near the time of the equinox, in any part of the world. [1913 Webster]

{Equinoctial colure} (Astron.), the meridian passing through the equinoctial points.

{Equinoctial line} (Astron.), the celestial equator; -- so called because when the sun is on it, the nights and days are of equal length in all parts of the world. See {Equator}. [1913 Webster]

Thrice the equinoctial line He circled. --Milton.

{Equinoctial points} (Astron.), the two points where the celestial and ecliptic intersect each other; the one being in the first point of Aries, the other in the first point of Libra.

{Equinoctial time} (Astron.) reckoned in any year from the instant when the mean sun is at the mean vernal equinoctial point. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • equinoctial points — equinoctial points, two imaginary points in the sky where the sun crosses the celestial equator …   Useful english dictionary

  • EQUINOCTIAL POINTS —    are the two points at which the celestial equator intersects the ECLIPTIC (q.v.), so called because the days and nights are of equal duration when the sun is at these points …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • 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 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 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

  • Points of the compass — Point Point, n. [F. point, and probably also pointe, L. punctum, puncta, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See {Pungent}, and cf. {Puncto}, {Puncture}.] 1. That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of anything, esp. the sharp end of a piercing… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • equinoctial colure — noun : the circle of 0 and 12 hours right ascension passing through the equinoctial points of the celestial sphere * * * equinoctial colure, the great circle passing through the poles and equinoctial points …   Useful english dictionary

  • equinoctial point — either of the two points at which the celestial equator and the ecliptic intersect each other; the position of the sun s center at the equinoxes. [1720 30] * * * …   Universalium

  • equinoctial point — noun either of two points at which the ecliptic cuts the celestial equator …   English new terms dictionary

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