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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

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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

Mr. Sappy read a paper, proving the impossibility of being able to see into the middle of next week, from known facts with regard to the equation of time.

From The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, January 1844 Volume 23, Number 1 by Various

"Oh, I see—you refer to the equation of time?"

From Palos of the Dog Star Pack by Giesy, J. U.

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