Equinoctial points
(gcide) | Equinoctial \E`qui*noc"tial\, a. [L. aequinoctials, fr.
aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. ['e]quinoxial. See Equinox.]
1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time
of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line.
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2. Pertaining to the regions or climate of the equinoctial
line or equator; in or near that line; as, equinoctial
heat; an equinoctial sun.
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3. Pertaining to the time when the sun enters the equinoctial
points; as, an equinoctial gale or storm, that is, one
happening at or near the time of the equinox, in any part
of the world.
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Equinoctial colure (Astron.), the meridian passing through
the equinoctial points.
Equinoctial line (Astron.), the celestial equator; -- so
called because when the sun is on it, the nights and days
are of equal length in all parts of the world. See
Equator.
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Thrice the equinoctial line
He circled. --Milton.
Equinoctial points (Astron.), the two points where the
celestial and ecliptic intersect each other; the one being
in the first point of Aries, the other in the first point
of Libra.
Equinoctial time (Astron.) reckoned in any year from the
instant when the mean sun is at the mean vernal
equinoctial point.
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