ˈsälztə̇s, ˈsōl-, ˈsȯl-, -lst- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin solstitium, from sol sun + -stitium (from status, past participle of sistere to come to a stand, cause to stand or stop); akin to Latin stare to stand, be stationary — more at solar , stand
1.
a. : one of the two points on the ecliptic at which its distance from the celestial equator is greatest and which is reached by the sun each year about June 22d and December 22d
b. : the time of the sun's passing a solstice which occurs on June 22d to begin summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern and on December 22d to begin winter in the northern and summer in the southern hemisphere
c. : the summer solstice or its heat
2. : a furthest or highest point : limit