solstitialadj.n.
/sɒlˈstɪʃəl/ A. adj.
1. Of or belonging to, connected with, a solstice or the solstices.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [adjective] > solstice
solstitial1559
tropical?1574
solstitian1614
converted1618
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 35 They are called Colures, of which th'one..is named th'equinoctiall Colure, and th'other..the solstitiall Colure.
1591 ‘A. Foulweather’ Wonderfull Prognost. in Wks. (Grosart) II. 164 The Sunne..at his passage vnto the solsticiall estiuall signe Cancer.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises iii. i. xxvii. f. 160v Now it is found to haue passed that point so farre towardes the Solsticiall point, as [etc.].
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 8 The shadowes of them that dwell Northerly vnder the Solstitiall circle in Summer.
1622 H. Peacham Compl. Gentleman vii. 60 The other passeth through the Solstitiall points, and is called the Solstitiall Colure.
1755 B. Martin Mag. Arts & Sci. 192/3 What Distinction is made of these Solstitial Points?
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. i. vi. 121 From observations of the sun's solstitial altitudes.
1845 Theologian II. 36 Cancer..is a watery,..solstitial, and exceedingly fruitful sign.
1894 R. A. Gregory Elem. Physiogr. (ed. 4) vii. 141 Each of the solsticial points being midway between the equinoxes.
2. Occurring, taking place, etc., at the time of the solstice(s).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [adjective] > solstice > occurring at the time of
solstitiala1623
a1623 C. Heydon Astrol. Disc. (1650) 14 These four causes are most evident upon the very solstitial days.
1695 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 15 In order to determine the Proportion of the Gnomon to the Solstitial shade.
1796 S. Pegge Anonymiana (1809) 431 The solstitial rains are here in England extremely beneficial.
1845 Peter Parley's Ann. 133 The setting in of the solstitial season.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xxxi. 266 The solstitial day of greatest darkness.
1881 T. H. Huxley in Nature 28 Apr. 609/2 The solstitial months, namely June and December.
3. Of heat, etc.: Characteristic of the summer solstice. Also as an epithet of the sun, etc., in this connection.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [adjective] > solstice > summer
aestivalc1386
solstitial1642
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > [adjective] > of the summer, solstice, or sun
solstitial1642
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. B7v The glorious Sun..Such as he is in his solstitiall noon.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 656 From the South to bring Solstitial summers heat. View more context for this quotation
1708 J. Philips Cyder i. 13 Sirius parched with Heat Solstitial the green herb.
1795 Gentleman's Mag. 65 540 Luxuriant foliage opposes the solstitial sun.
1829 W. Wordsworth Thoughts on Seasons ii Less fair is summer riding high In fierce solstitial power.
1868 C. Kingsley in Good Words Jan. 23/1 That day Shall dawn in glory, and solstitial blaze Of full midsummer sun.
4.
a. Of plants: Coming up at the summer solstice; growing or fading rapidly.After solstitialis herba in Plautus Pseud. i. i. 36.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by age or cycles > [adjective] > growing at particular time of year
vernantc1440
autumnal1558
Mayey1601
solstitial1654
vernal1695
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 475 The short Duration of worldly Happinesse, how aptly called the Solstitiall Plant.
1657 P. Heylyn Ecclesia Vindicata Gen. Pref. sig. av So many Ordinances..should be as short lived as Jonas Gourd, or the solstitial Herb in Plautus.
1783 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 74 417 As the two last are solstitial, and rather delicate plants, I wondered the less at their sensibility.
b. Of insects, etc.: Appearing about the time of the summer solstice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > [adjective] > appearing at summer solstice
solstitial1812
1812 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. VIII. ii. 449 The Solstitial Parrakeet is twice described by Buffon, under different divisions of the genus.
1818 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. II. xxiii. 372 The solstitial and common cockchafer appear in the evening—the former generally coming forth at the summer solstice.
1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xx. 366 About the time of the summer solstice, the solstitial beetle may be seen and heard buzzing in vast numbers over the trees and hedges.
5. Connected with the observation of the solstices.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [adjective] > solstice > observing
solstitial1834
1834 Hist. Astron. (U.K.S.) vi. 32/1 The construction of the astrolabium..was rather more complicated than that of the solstitial or equatorial armillæ.
1883 Bible Myths (ed. 2) 439 An astronomical observatory containing..solstitial and equatorial armils,..and other apparatus.
1906 N. Lockyer Stonehenge iii. 19 We have in Stonehenge a solstitial temple.
A solstice. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [noun] > solstice
sunsteadOE
solsticea1325
stinting of the suna1387
solsticionc1400
standing of the sun?1440
solstitium?1521
stay of the sun1538
solstacionc1540
sunstay1545
conversion1553
staying of the sun1555
solstitial1561
solsticy1570
trope1599
solstead1601
1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation i. xv. sig. B viii These Tropykes are descrybed by the motion of the fyrst moueable with the points of the Solstitials.
1612 A. Hopton Concordancy of Yeares (1615) 53 The Summer and Winter Solstitials.
Derivatives
solˈstitially adv. towards the solstices.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > sun > solar movement > [adverb] > towards the solstices
solstitially1658
1658 Sir T. Browne Garden of Cyrus iv, in Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall 166 That the Leaves of the Olive and some other Trees solstitially turn..is scarce expectable in any Climate.
1894 Athenæum 21 Apr. 515/3 The temples were oriented solstitially or equinoctially.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.1559