A solstice is one of the two times each year when the sun appears at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, creating the longest or shortest day. These happen around June 21 and December 21.
From Middle English, from Old French *solstice*, from Latin *solstitium*, from *sol* “sun” + *stit-* from *sistere* “to stand still.” It refers to the sun seeming to pause in its path before moving back.
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