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Equinoctial vs Equinoxial - What's the difference?

equinoctial | equinoxial |

As adjectives the difference between equinoctial and equinoxial

is that equinoctial is of or relating to an equinox while equinoxial is equinoctial.

As a noun equinoctial

is the great circle midway between the celestial poles; the celestial equator.

equinoctial

English

Alternative forms

* equinoctal * (archaic)

Adjective

(-)
  • Of or relating to an equinox.
  • (astronomy) Of or relating to a celestial or terrestrial equator.
  • Relating to the time when the sun enters the equinoctial points.
  • an equinoctial gale or storm, i.e. one happening at or near the time of the equinox, in any part of the world

    Derived terms

    * equinoctial circle * equinoctial point * equinoctial year * equinoctially

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The great circle midway between the celestial poles; the celestial equator.
  • *, III.2.1.ii:
  • *:The scorching beams under the equinoctial , or extremity of cold within the circle Arctic, […] cannot avoid or expel this heat, fury, and rage of mortal men.
  • (rare) The terrestrial equator.
  • References

    *

    equinoxial

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Equinoctial.