solstice
sol.stice \'sa:l-st*s, 'so-l-, 'so.l-\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L solstitium, fr.
sol sun + status, pp. of (Xsistere to come to a stop, cause to stand; akin
to L stare to stand - more at SOLAR, STAND 1: one of the two points on the
ecliptic at which its distance from the cel estial equator is greatest and
which is reached by the sun each year about June 22d and December 22d 2:
the time of the sun's passing a solstice which occurs on June 22d to beg in
summer in the northern hemisphere and on December 22d to begin winter in
the northern hemisphere