equinoctial

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

  • equinoctial — ► ADJECTIVE 1) relating to or at the time of the equinox. 2) at or near the equator …   English terms dictionary

  • equinoctial — [ē΄kwi näk′shəl] adj. [ME & OFr equinoxial < L aequinoctialis] 1. relating to either of the equinoxes or to equal periods of day and night 2. occurring at or about the time of an equinox 3. equatorial n. 1. CELESTIAL EQUATOR 2 …   English World dictionary

  • equinoctial — adj. & n. adj. 1 happening at or near the time of an equinox (equinoctial gales). 2 of or relating to equal day and night. 3 at or near the (terrestrial) equator. n. (in full equinoctial line) = celestial equator. Phrases and idioms: equinoctial… …   Useful english dictionary

  • equinoctial — I. adjective Date: 1545 1. relating to an equinox or to a state or the time of equal day and night 2. relating to the regions or climate on or near the equator 3. relating to the time when the sun passes an equinoctial point II. noun Date: 1521 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • equinoctial — I. n. Celestial equator, equinoctial line. II. a. 1. Of the equinoctial. 2. At the time of the equinoxes …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • equinoctial — /ikwəˈnɒkʃəl/ (say eekwuh nokshuhl), /ɛ / (say e ) adjective 1. relating to an equinox or the equinoxes, or to the equality of day and night. 2. relating to the celestial equator. 3. occurring at or about the time of an equinox: an equinoctial… …  

  • equinoctial — /ee kweuh nok sheuhl, ek weuh /, adj. 1. pertaining to an equinox or the equinoxes, or to the equality of day and night. 2. pertaining to the celestial equator. 3. occurring at or about the time of an equinox. 4. Bot. (of a flower) opening… …   Universalium

  • equinoctial — [ˌi:kwɪ nɒkʃ(ə)l, ˌɛkwɪ ] adjective 1》 relating to or at the time of the equinox. 2》 at or near the equator. noun (also equinoctial line) another term for celestial equator …   English new terms dictionary

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