Meaning & Definition of word "Equinox"
Equinox
/ˈɛkwɪnɒks/
noun:
- 1. Either of the two points in the year when day and night are of approximately equal length, occurring around March 21 and September 23.
- Example: The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
- 2. The time when the sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal in length.
- Example: During the autumn equinox, many cultures celebrate the harvest festival.
- 3. The moment in time when the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in equal day and night lengths.
- Example: Astronomers note the equinox as an important event in the solar calendar.
Etymology
●From Latin 'aequinoctium', meaning 'equal night'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
vernal equinox:
The spring equinox usually marking the start of spring.
autumnal equinox:
The autumn equinox signaling the beginning of fall.
Related Words
solstice:
Either of the two times in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
latitudinal:
Relating to the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator.