EQUATOR

equator

(noun) 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”

equator

(noun) a circle dividing a sphere or other surface into two usually equal and symmetrical parts

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

equator (plural equators)

(geography, often “the Equator”) An imaginary great circle around the Earth, equidistant from the two poles, and dividing earth's surface into the northern and southern hemisphere.

(astronomy) A similar great circle on any sphere, especially on a celestial body, or on other reasonably symmetrical three-dimensional body.

The midline of any generally spherical object, such as a fruit or vegetable, that has identifiable poles.

The celestial equator.

Anagrams

• quorate

Proper noun

Equator

(geography) The Earth’s equator.

Anagrams

• quorate

Source: Wiktionary

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E*qua"tor, n. Etym: [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F. équateur equator. See Equate.]

1. (Geog.)

Definition: 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.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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