equinox
noun
Either of two times in the year when the sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal in length worldwide.
Etymology
From Latin aequinoctium, from aequus "equal" + nox "night." The term literally means "equal night."
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The spring equinox signals the beginning of longer days in the Northern Hemisphere."
- 2.
"Many cultures celebrate festivals around the autumn equinox."
- 3.
"At the equinox, the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
At the equinox, you can balance an egg on its end more easily—but this actually works any day of the year with enough patience! The myth persists because people try harder during equinoxes.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 7 letters (E, Q, U, I, N, O, X)
Scrabble Value: 23 points
Tip: Try building from common prefixes or suffixes when you spot these letters.
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