Equinoctial

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /É›kwᵻˈnÉ’kʃlÌ©/
• US IPA: /ËŒi.kwəˈnÉ’k.ʃəl/, /ˌɛ.kwəˈnÉ’k.ʃəl/

Alternative forms

• equinoctal
• æquinoctial archaic

Origin

From Latin aequinoctiālis.

Full definition of equinoctial

Adjective

1. Of or relating to an equinox.
2. (astronomy) Of or relating to a celestial or terrestrial equator.
3. Relating to the time when the sun enters the equinoctial points.an equinoctial gale or storm, i.e. one happening at or near the time of the equinox, in any part of the world

Derived terms

• equinoctial circle
• equinoctial point
• equinoctial year
• equinoctially

Noun

1. The great circle midway between the celestial poles; the celestial equator.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III.2.1.ii: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.
2. (rare) The terrestrial equator.