Solstice

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: sol=stice

CIDE DICTIONARY

Solstice, n. [L. solstitium; sol the sun + sistere to cause to stand, akin to stare to stand: cf. F. solstice. See Solar, a., Stand, v. i.].

•  A stopping or standing still of the sun.  Sir T. Browne.  [1913 Webster]
•  The point in the ecliptic at which the sun is farthest from the equator, north or south, namely, the first point of the sign Cancer and the first point of the sign Capricorn, the former being the summer solstice, latter the winter solstice, in northern latitudes; -- so called because the sun then apparently stands still in its northward or southward motion.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Solstice, n.
1 either of the times when the sun is furthest from the equator.
2 the point in its ecliptic reached by the sun at a solstice.

Idiom

summer solstice the time at which the sun is furthest north from the equator, about 21 June in the northern hemisphere. winter solstice the time at which the sun is furthest south from the equator, about 22 Dec. in the northern hemisphere.

Derivative

solstitial adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF f. L solstitium f. sol sun + sistere stit- make stand