equatorial

[ ee-kwuh-tawr-ee-uhl, ek-wuh- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.
2. of, like, or typical of the regions at the earth's equator:

   equatorial temperatures.

noun

1. a telescope mounting having two axes of motion, one parallel to the earth's axis and one at right angles to it.
2. Also called e·qua·to·ri·al tel·e·scope [ee, -kw, uh, -tawr-ee-, uh, l , tel, -, uh, -skohp, ek, -w, uh, -],. a telescope with such a mounting.

equatorial

/ ˌɛkwəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of, like, or existing at or near the equator
2. astronautics (of a telescope) mounted on the perpendicular axes, one of which is parallel to the earth's axis

   an equatorial orbit

3. astronomy of or referring to the celestial equator

   equatorial coordinates

noun

1. an equatorial mounting for a telescope

Derived Forms

• ˌequaˈtorially, adverb

Other Words From

• e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• non·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective
• non·e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• trans·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective
• trans·e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• un·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of equatorial¹

First recorded in 1655–65; equator + -ial