solstitial adjective & noun. [sɒl'stɪʃ(ǝ)l] Also solsticial. LME.
[Old & mod. French solsticial, -tial, or Latin solstitialis, from solstitium: see SOLSTICE, -AL¹.]
A. adjective.
1. Of or pertaining to (the time of) a solstice or the solstices. LME.
solstitial point Astronomy & Astrology either of the two points on the ecliptic midway between the two equinoxes, which the sun reaches at the solstice.

2. Of heat, sunlight, etc.: characteristic of the summer solstice. M17.

3. a. Of a plant: coming up at the summer solstice; growing or fading rapidly. M17.
b. Of insects etc.: appearing about the time of the summer solstice. E19.

4. Pertaining to or used for the observation of the solstices. M19.
solstitial armilla: see ARMILLA 1.
B. noun. = SOLSTICE 1. rare. LME-E17.

■ solstitially adverb (rare) towards the solstices M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲