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Equinox: meaning, definitions and examples

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equinox

 

[ ˈɛkwɪnɒks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

astronomy

An equinox is the moment in time when the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal durations of day and night all over the world. This event occurs twice a year, during the March and September equinoxes.

Synonyms

day-night equalization, equinoxial

Examples of usage

  • The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • During the autumn equinox, many cultures celebrate the harvest.
  • People gather to witness the equinox events at ancient sites.
  • Equinoxes are significant for astronomers tracking solar movements.

Translations

Translations of the word "equinox" in other languages:

🇵🇹 equinócio

🇮🇳 समानांतर

🇩🇪 TagundNachtgleiche

🇮🇩 equinoks

🇺🇦 рівнодення

🇵🇱 równonoc

🇯🇵 春分

🇫🇷 équinoxe

🇪🇸 equinoccio

🇹🇷 equinoks

🇰🇷 춘분

🇸🇦 الاعتدال

🇨🇿 rovnodennost

🇸🇰 rovnodennosť

🇨🇳 春分

🇸🇮 equinocij

🇮🇸 jafndægur

🇰🇿 күн мен түннің теңелуі

🇬🇪 რვნადა

🇦🇿 bərabərlik

🇲🇽 equinoccio

Etymology

The term 'equinox' is derived from the Latin word 'aequinoctium', which means 'equal night'. It is composed of two parts: 'aequus', meaning 'equal', and 'nox', meaning 'night'. The concept of the equinox has been recognized since ancient times, playing a crucial role in agricultural societies that relied on seasons. Early civilizations, such as the Babylonians and Egyptians, observed the equinox to determine the best times for planting and harvesting crops. Over time, the significance of the equinox expanded into various cultural practices, including festivals and rituals, making it a pivotal moment both astronomically and socially. Today, reliance on the equinox continues, particularly in fields like astronomy and meteorology, as well as in cultural traditions around the world.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,779, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.