synodic month
- noun
- /sɪˈnɒdɪk mʌnθ/
- Specialized
:
mes sinódico
- A synodic month marks the period it takes for the moon to go through all of its phases, averaging 29.5 days.
Examples
-
The average duration of a lunar cycle, known as a synodic month, is roughly 29.5 days.
-
These intervals are better known to us as six and five lunar synodic months, respectively.
Academic text (1995) -
Sine and cosine functions, both with periods of 29.5306 days and 14.7653 days, were added to examine the possible existence of a periodic effect once or twice a synodic month.
Academic text (1995) -
On the right, the Eclipse Table section of the same codex shows divisions of eclipse periods into six and five lunar synodic months (177 and 148 days).
Academic text (1995) -
Astronomers measure the phases of the moon in terms of a synodic month, which lasts about 29.5 days.
Synonyms
1
3.6
About 29 and a half days from one new moon to the next
The time from one new moon to the next, about 29 and a half days
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'synodic' means relating to the cycle of similar celestial phases, so combined with 'month' a learner can compositionally infer this refers to a month defined by lunar/celestial phase cycles (i.e. the period between successive new moons). Although the term is technical and infrequent, its meaning is directly derivable from the constituents and the standard adjective+noun composition, so it is transparent to someone who knows both words.
Etymology
Synodic month comes from the Greek word synodic, meaning 'to come together', and month. It refers to the time between two moments when the Sun and Moon line up, from 'new moon' to the next 'new moon', so it means the Moon's cycle of phases and lasts about 29.5 days.