sol·stice (s l st s, s l-, sôl-)n. 1. Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs about June 21, when the sun is in the zenith at the tropic of Cancer; the winter solstice occurs about December 21, when the sun is over the tropic of Capricorn. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and the winter solstice is the shortest. 2. A highest point or culmination. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin s lstitium : sl, sun; see s wel- in Indo-European roots + -stitium, a stoppage; see st- in Indo-European roots.]sol·sti tial (-stsh l) adj. |
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