Word Study
colure
CIDE DICTIONARY
colure, n. [F. colure, L. coluri, pl., fr. Gr. ko`loyros dock-tailed, a"i ko`loyroi (sc. grammai` lines) the colures; fr. ko`los docked, stunted + o'yra` tail. So named because a part is always beneath the horizon.].
One of two great circles intersecting at right angles in the poles of the equator. One of them passes through the equinoctial points, and hence is denominated the equinoctial colure; the other intersects the equator at the distance of 90solstitial colure. [1913 Webster]
"Thrice the equinoctial line
He circled; four times crossed the car of night
From pole to pole, traversing each colure." [1913 Webster]
He circled; four times crossed the car of night
From pole to pole, traversing each colure." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
colure, n. Astron. either of two great circles intersecting at right angles at the celestial poles and passing through the ecliptic at either the equinoxes or the solstices.
Etymology
ME f. LL colurus f. Gk kolouros truncated
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