solstitial

adjective

sol·​sti·​tial säl-ˈsti-shəl 

sōl-,

sȯl-

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a solstice and especially the summer solstice

2

: happening or appearing at or associated with a solstice

Did you know?

Solstitial arrived in English in the 14th century by way of Anglo-French. Both "solstitial" and "solstice" can be traced back to the Latin word solstitium, meaning "solstice," and ultimately to sol, meaning "sun," and "-stit-" or -stes, meaning "standing." Some unsurprising relatives include "solar," "solarium" (a room used for sunbathing or therapeutic exposure to light), and "parasol" (a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade). A less obvious relative is "armistice," which was coined partially by analogy with the way "solstice" had been formed from the "-stitium" ending.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English solsticial, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin solstitialis, from solstitium

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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