Equinoctial

Quick meaning: Equinoctial is an adjective meaning (astronomy) Of or relating to the spring or autumnal equinox.

Meaning

(astronomy) Of or relating to the spring or autumnal equinox.

More Meanings

1. (astronomy) Of or relating to the celestial equator.
2. (uncommon) Equatorial: of or relating to the equator of the Earth.
3. (botany) Of flowers: that open and close at particular times of day.
4. The great circle midway between the celestial poles; the celestial equator.
5. An equinoctial gale.
6. (rare) The terrestrial equator.

Example Sentences

Heavy with storm the coast-lines grew, / And sharp the equinoctials blew

an equinoctial gale or storm, i.e. one happening at or near the time of the equinox, in any part of the world

The scorching beams under the equinoctial, or extremity of cold within the circle Arctic, […] cannot avoid or expel this heat, fury, and rage of mortal men.

Nor is this vveather rare about the Æquinoctiall; by Mariners termed the Tornadoes: and tis ſo vncertaine, that novv you ſhall haue a quiet breath and gale, and ſuddenly an vnexpected violent guſt, and ſtorme, ſo fierce, that many times the ſhips vvill feele no helme.

Word Forms

• equinoctials

Synonyms for equinoctial

Depending on context, synonyms include equinoctal, equinoxial, equatorial.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include colure, colures, equinoctal, equinoxial, equinoctinal, equidiurnal.

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