/sol"stis, sohl"-/ , n.
1. Astron.
a. either of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator: about June 21, when the sun reaches its northernmost point on the celestial sphere, or about December 22, when it reaches its southernmost point. Cf. summer solstice, winter solstice .
b. either of the two points in the ecliptic farthest from the equator.
2. a furthest or culminating point; a turning point.
[ 1200-50; solstitium, equiv. to sol sun + -stit-, comb. form of stat-, var. s. of sistere to make stand (see STAND) + -ium -IUM; see -ICE) ]