solstice
|sol/stice|
B2
/ˈsɒlstɪs/
sun's standstill
Etymology
Etymology Information
'solstice' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'solstitium', where 'sol' meant 'sun' and 'stitium' meant 'standing still'.
Historical Evolution
'solstitium' transformed into the Old French word 'solstice', and eventually became the modern English word 'solstice'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'the point at which the sun stands still', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
either of the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, occurring around June 21 (summer solstice) and December 21 (winter solstice).
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/16 08:43