| 释义 |
me·rid·i·an
I. \mə̇ˈridēən\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English meridien, meridian, from Middle French meridien, from meridien, adjective
1.
a. obsolete : the hour of noon : midday
b. Scotland : a midday dram
2. : a great circle of the celestial sphere passing through its poles and the zenith of a given place
3.
a. archaic : the highest apparent point reached in the heavens by the sun or a star
b. : a high point (as of development or prosperity)
< the problem of the unmarried don after he had passed the meridian — H.J.Laski >
4.
a.
(1) : a great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the poles and any given place
(2) : the half of such a circle included between the poles with a plane coinciding with that of the astronomical meridian of the place — see prime meridian
b. : a representation of such a circle or half circle on a map or globe : any of a series of lines drawn at intervals due north and south or in the direction of the poles and numbered according to the degrees of longitude
< the 90th meridian east of Greenwich >
c. : a graduated circle (as of brass) in which a globe is suspended and revolves
5. archaic : special tastes, capacities, or conditions
< suited the meridian of the … servants' hall — Washington Irving >
6. or meridian curve : the curve formed by the intersection of a surface of revolution and a plane passing through the axis of revolution
7. : a line or circle (as on the globular shell of some sea urchins) resembling a meridian of longitude
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English meridien, from Middle French, from Latin meridianus, from meridies noon, south (from meri- — alteration of medius mid — + dies day) + -anus -an — more at mid, deity
1. : being at or relating to midday : belonging to or passing through the highest point attained by a heavenly body in its diurnal course
2. : of or relating to a meridian
3.
a. : of or relating to a high point, crest, or culmination
< the Roman people had arrived at their meridian glory — C.G.Bowers >
b. obsolete : supremely excellent : consummate, extreme |