equation of time

American

noun

Astronomy.

apparent time minus mean solar time, ranging from minus 14 minutes in February to over 16 minutes in November.

equation of time British

noun

the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time, being at a maximum in February (over 14 minutes) and November (over 16 minutes)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of equation of time

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

equation of time

But the boring dystopia meme reminds us the end could arrive quietly but corrosively, with a total erosion of work-life balance, crowdfunding for necessary healthcare, infantilisation by technology and the equation of time with capital.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 6, 2018

This difference between GMT and solar time is called "the equation of time" by astronomers.

From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2014

Father Hahn considered the equation of time as only one part of a plan to represent astronomical occurrences by means of clockwork.

From The Borghesi Astronomical Clock in the Museum of History and Technology Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper 35, the Smithsonian Institution United States National Museum Bulletin 240 by Bedini, Silvio A.

Apply the equation of time to find the G.A.T.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

The correct name for this difference between the two kinds of solar time is the equation of time, but in the almanacs it is frequently marked "sun fast" or "sun slow."

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023