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equinox

equinox

15 7.4
A time twice a year when day and night are about the same length
  • noun
  • /ˈɛkwɪnɒks/
translation icon : equinoccio
  • On the day of the equinox, daylight and darkness are almost equal in length.
  • autumnal equinox
  • spring equinox
  • vernal equinox

Now, three months after that, at the spring, the spring equinox, it'll be like this again.

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Examples

  • It's always the first full moon after the spring equinox.

  • By the spring equinox, the diffuse quality would disappear and brightness would take its place.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • In January, the days will get longer; in March, the equinox will come, and the ice will break up.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The leaves are turning on the island as we head to the equinox this week.

    Blog text (10)
  • Instead, it does so during the fall equinox on September 22, several weeks after the end of the summer tourist season.

    Academic text (2003)
  • And these two are the equinoxes where day and night are of equal length.

  • Now, three months after that, at the spring, the spring equinox, it'll be like this again.

  • However, they did not celebrate the resurrection of the Sun until the spring equinox, or Easter.

  • Several years ago at the spring equinox, Victoria's coven put on a large public circle.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The ancient Egyptians along with cultures long before them recognized that approximately every 2150 years, the sunrise on the morning of the spring equinox would occur at a different sign of the Zodiac.

Synonyms

spring equinox
vsequinox
1 4.3

A time in early spring when day and night are about the same length, around March 21 in the north

is the general name for either yearly crossing when day and night match
autumnal equinox
vsequinox
1 7.4

The time in autumn when day and night are about equal

is a broader expression covering both annual sun crossings not just one
vernal equinox
vsequinox
1 7.3

The March day when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the north

is the broader term meaning either of the two annual crossings of the sun
autumn equinox
vsequinox
1 6.1

A time when day and night are about the same length that marks the start of autumn

is the overall term for either of the two yearly solar crossings
March equinox
vsequinox
5.3

The time around March 20 when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere

is one of the two yearly moments when the sun crosses the equator
September equinox
vsequinox
  • Specialized
7.1

A time in late September when day and night are about equal, marking autumn north and spring south

is a general label for both yearly times when day and night balance
fall equinox
vsequinox
  • US
6.0

The time when day and night are almost the same length, marking the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere

is the generic term meaning either annual time when day and night are about equal

Compounds

The time in autumn when day and night are about equal

A time in early spring when day and night are about the same length, around March 21 in the north

A time when day and night are about the same length that marks the start of autumn

The March day when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the north

6.0

The time when day and night are almost the same length, marking the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere

The time around March 20 when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere

September equinox
  • Specialized
7.1

A time in late September when day and night are about equal, marking autumn north and spring south

Surface Forms

equinox singular
equinoxes plural

Etymology

Equinox comes from the Latin words aequus ('equal') and nox ('night'), so it means 'equal night', which is a handy way to remember that at an equinox day and night are about the same length.