Middle English Dictionary Entry
ē̆quinox n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ē̆quinox n. |
| Etymology | OF equinoxe; L aequinocti-um, ML -noxi-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Either of the two periods, one in March, the other in September, when the days and nights are of equal length; the equinox.
Associated quotations
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.64 : Til equynoxe [L in aequinoctium vernum] is hemp ysowe as now [in March].
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)10.9 : And now [in September] nygh equynox londes donge.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)76/23 : This tempeste es noȝtee fallen thurgh wrethe of oure goddes bot be cause of equinox of heruest.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)115b : Þe equinox, þat is þe day & þe nyght euene of oon lengþe.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4158 : It [a great storm] is na greme of oure gode..Bot þe entring of þe equinox; it euire elike-dele kyndils.
2.
Either of the two signs of the zodiac, Aries and Libra, in which the sun's path crosses the celestial equator.
Associated quotations
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)1.17.81a : Therfore ben these two signes [Aries and Libra] clepid the equinoxiis.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1450(a1388) Wallingford Exafrenon (Dgb 67)187 : For the werkyn in the tables of the almanac is not verrey, and that is fore the equinoctis and the solstitiis are mevable as it shewis, fore the solsticis of wynter was summe tyme in the feste of the nativite of Criste; Nowe it is gone bakward unto the feste of Sancte Lucie..therfore I have made a table of all the enterynges of the Sonne in to dyvers signes..and cause of goynge bakward of the solsticye and the equinocis..And therfore the solsticy and the equinoctii and the festis that are sette fixe in the kalendre [are further removed in these times from the positions assigned to them in the kalendar].
Note: Needed for forms
Note: Provisional form section: Also equinoxe Pl. (Latinate) equinoxiis, equinocis, equinoctis, equinoctii.--notes per MLL