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Glite Dictionary
solstitial

solstitial

1 9.9
Relating to the time of a solstice, for example the longest or shortest day of the year
  • adjective
  • /sɒlˈstɪʃəl/
  • Specialized
: solsticial
  • The solstitial celebrations are a sight to behold.

Examples

  • Ancient monuments were often aligned with solstitial sunrise or sunset points.

  • The festival is held on the solstitial night to celebrate the longest day of the year.

  • Many cultures have traditions that mark the solstitial changes in daylight.

  • The solstitial sun is at its highest point!

  • The solstitial sun shone brightly during the summer celebration.

  • Many cultures hold festivals to honor the solstitial changes in the seasons.

  • The ancients built their monuments to align with the solstitial sunrise.

Surface Forms

solstitial positive

Morphology

solstitial = solstice (transparent) = solstice + ial

Formed directly from 'solstice' with the adjectival suffix '-ial', so meaning 'relating to a solstice' is directly derived despite a minor orthographic change.

Etymology

The word solstitial comes from Latin parts sol ('sun') and sistere ('to stand'), because at a solstice the sun seems to 'stand still' in the sky. You can see sol in solar, so solstitial means 'relating to the solstice', the time of year with the longest or shortest day.