Library / 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:

equinoctial point; equinox

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))

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