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Equator - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Equator : (noun)
1: an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle
that is equidistant from the north and south poles; "the
equator is the boundary between the northern and
southern hemispheres"
2: a circle dividing a sphere or other surface into two usually
equal and symmetrical parts
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Equator : \E*qua"tor\, n. [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F.
['e]quateur equator. See Equate.]
1. (Geog.) The imaginary great circle on the earth's surface,
everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and
dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres.
2. (Astron.) The great circle of the celestial sphere,
coincident with the plane of the earth's equator; -- so
called because when the sun is in it, the days and nights
are of equal length; hence called also the equinoctial,
and on maps, globes, etc., the equinoctial line.
Equator of the sun or of a planet (Astron.), the great
circle whose plane passes through through the center of
the body, and is perpendicular to its axis of revolution.
Magnetic equator. See Aclinic.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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