equinoctial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
    celestial equator; equinoctial line; equinoctial circle.
  2. adjective relating to the vicinity of the equator
  3. adjective relating to an equinox (when the lengths of night and day are equal)

WordNet

E`qui*noc"tial adjective
Etymology
L. aequinoctials, fr. aequinoctium equinox: cf. F. équinoxial. See Equinox.
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to an equinox, or the equinoxes, or to the time of equal day and night; as, the equinoctial line.
  2. Pertaining to the regions or climate of the equinoctial line or equator; in or near that line; as, equinoctial heat; an equinoctial sun.
  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.
    Thrice the equinoctial line He circled. Milton.
E`qui*noc"tial noun
Definitions
  1. The equinoctial line.

Webster 1913