Sol"stice (?), 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.]
1. A stopping or
standing still of the sun. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
2. (Astron.)
(a) 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.
(b) The time of the sun's passing
the solstices, or solstitial points, namely,
about June 21 and December 21. See Illust. in Appendix.
Hear it pronounced