Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SOL'STICE, n. [Fr. from L. solstitium; sol, the sun, and sto, to stand; It. solstizio; Sp. solsticio.]

In astronomy, the point in the ecliptic at which the sun stops or ceases to recede from the equator, either north in summer, or south in winter; a tropic or tropical point. There are two solstices; the summer solstice, the first degree of Cancer, which the sun enters on the 21st of June, and the winter solstice, the first degree of Capricorn, which the sun; enters on the 21st of December.