1. (n.) The time of the year when the sun is farthest from the equator, north (summer) or south (winter)\, 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.

2. (n.) A stopping or standing still of the sun.

3. (n.) The time of the sun's passing the solstices, or solstitial points, namely, about June 21 and December 21

aphelion apogee astronomical longitude autumnal equinox celestial equator celestial longitude celestial meridian circle colures ecliptic equator equinoctial equinoctial circle equinoctial colure galactic longitude geocentric longitude geodetic longitude great circle heliocentric longitude longitude meridian orbit perigee perihelion period small circle solstice solstitial colure summer solstice trajectory vernal equinox winter solstice zodiac zone