zenithal

[zee-nuh-thuhl, zen-uh-]

adjective

1. of or relating to the zenith; situated at or near the zenith.

2. (of a map) drawn to indicate the actual direction of any point from the center point.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zenithal¹

First recorded in 1855–60; zenith + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The zenithal hourly rate could be close to 120 meteors per hour, though this peak lasts only a couple of hours.

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The group predicts a zenithal hourly rate of about 90 shooting stars around the peak.

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When drawing up a map, a cartographer must choose between zenithal, gnomonic, stereographic, orthographic, globular, conical, cylindrical or sinusoidal modes of projection — each of which brings with it as many disadvantages as benefits.

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At peak, the zenithal hourly rate is expected to be about 120 shooting stars an hour, according to the International Meteor Organization.

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A thick fog came down on us, with zenithal aurora borealis, the electric action of which threw out every compass, standard and otherwise, on board.

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