Middle English Dictionary Entry
solstice n.
Entry Info
| Forms | solstice n. Also solsticium, (Latinate) solsticis; pl. solstices, (Latinate) solstitiis, solstici(e. |
| Etymology | OF solstice & L solstitium; cp. OProv. solstici. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The summer or winter solstice; also, the day on which the solstice occurs; ~ of somer (winter).
Associated quotations
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)150 : Two geuelengðhes timen her And two solstices, in ðe ger.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.17.8 : In this heved of Cancer is the grettist declinacioun northward of the sonne, and therfore is he clepid solsticium of somer.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.17.57 : In the heved of this forseid Capricorne is the grettist declinacioun southward of the sonne, and therfore it is clepid the solsticium of wynter.
- ?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 [L solsticium] 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 [L solsticiorum] and the equinocis..And therfore the solsticy [L solsticia] 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].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.201 : There is a welle..whiche floethe ouer with watere abowte the solstice of somer.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.327 : In the northe parte of that cuntre the son goethe not down in the solstice of somer [Trev.: styntynge of þe sonne] by mony daies.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.273 : Men..of Grece..began the yere from the solstice [Trev.: þe schortest day] of wynter.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.105 : The churche suffrethe the erroure in the usualle kalendary, whiche began in this wise, that the solstices and equinoccialles and entrenges of the sonne into signes have goen backe in the kalendary by xiij daies.