/ English Dictionary |
EQUINOX
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Hypernyms ("equinox" is a kind of...):
celestial point (a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere))
Domain category:
astronomy; uranology (the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "equinox"):
vernal equinox ((astronomy) the equinoctial point that lies in the constellation of Pisces)
autumnal equinox ((astronomy) the equinoctial point that lies in the constellation of Virgo)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Either of two times of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Hypernyms ("equinox" is a kind of...):
cosmic time (the time covered by the physical formation and development of the universe)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "equinox"):
March equinox; spring equinox; vernal equinox (March 21)
autumnal equinox; fall equinox; September equinox (September 22)
Derivation:
equinoctial (relating to an equinox (when the lengths of night and day are equal))