autumnal equinox
1
7.4
- noun
- /ɔˈtʌmnəl ˈiːkwɪnɒks/
:
equinoccio de otoño
- On the spring and autumnal equinoxes, the poles are equidistant to the sun, so the days are more or less the same length no matter where on Earth you are.
And then Bryce gets a little mental phone call from Napoleon because it's the autumnal equinox and so the veil is thin.
- And then Bryce gets a little mental phone call from Napoleon because it's the autumnal equinox and so the veil is thin.
Examples
-
Ussher, recognizing no basis for a firm calibration, therefore decided to establish creation as the first Sunday following the autumnal equinox.
Academic text (1991) -
And then Bryce gets a little mental phone call from Napoleon because it's the autumnal equinox and so the veil is thin.
-
So, as we approach the autumnal equinox this weekend, we hope you will be inspired by our weekly 'do something' message and do something!
Blog text (3) -
It was late summer, not meaning late August, but meaning September, before the autumnal equinox.
Fiction book (1998) -
The autumnal equinox is at 9:30 a.m. PDT.
Academic text (2004) -
I left the Faeries after an incident at a bonfire and "sweat" session celebrating the autumnal equinox.
Fiction book (2002) -
PHOTO (COLOR): Scholars debate whether the view into temples, such as Mnajdra, was more important or the view looking out (at sunrise on the autumnal equinox).
Academic text (2004) -
Swan writes, "Temporarily, it is the night of the autumnal equinox, the point of celestial balance when day and night are evenly proportioned, and summer turns to winter."
Academic text (1990) -
The autumnal equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
-
The autumnal equinox occurs at 10:49 A.M. EDT on September 22.
Synonyms
1
6.1
A time when day and night are about the same length that marks the start of autumn
The time when day and night are almost the same length, marking the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere
A time in late September when day and night are about equal, marking autumn north and spring south
The time when autumn begins
Antonyms
1
7.3
The March day when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the north
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'autumnal' means relating to autumn and 'equinox' denotes the event of roughly equal day and night, so together they refer to the equinox occurring in autumn. This follows standard adjective+noun semantics and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
The term autumnal equinox comes from words meaning autumnal 'autumn' and equinox 'equal night'. It describes the time in autumn when day and night are about the same length, so the name explains why this day marks the change of season.