adj. & n.
--adj. of, relating to, or reckoned by the sun (solar eclipse; solar time).
--n.
1. a solarium.
2 an upper chamber in a medieval house.
Phrases and idioms:
solar battery (or cell) a device converting solar radiation into electricity. solar constant the quantity of heat reaching the earth from the sun. solar day the interval between successive meridian transits of the sun at a place. solar month one-twelfth of the solar year. solar myth a tale explained as symbolizing solar phenomena. solar panel a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy for operating electricity or heating. solar plexus a complex of radiating nerves at the pit of the stomach. solar system the sun and the celestial bodies whose motion it governs. solar wind the continuous flow of charged particles from the sun. solar year the time taken for the earth to travel once round the sun, equal to 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds.
Etymology: ME f. L solaris f. sol sun