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Webster 1913 Edition
Equatorial
Eˊqua-to′ri-al
,Adj.
[Cf. F.
équatorial
.] Of or pertaining to the equator;
as,
; also, pertaining to an equatorial instrument. equatorial
climatesEˊqua-to′ri-al
,Noun.
(Astron.)
An instrument consisting of a telescope so mounted as to have two axes of motion at right angles to each other, one of them parallel to the axis of the earth, and each carrying a graduated circle, the one for measuring declination, and the other right ascension, or the hour angle, so that the telescope may be directed, even in the daytime, to any star or other object whose right ascension and declination are known. The motion in right ascension is sometimes communicated by clockwork, so as to keep the object constantly in the field of the telescope. Called also an
equatorial telescope
. ☞ The term equatorial, or equatorial instrument, is sometimes applied to any astronomical instrument which has its principal axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the earth.
Webster 1828 Edition
Equatorial
EQUATO'RIAL
,Adj.
Definition 2024
équatorial
équatorial
See also: equatorial
French
Adjective
équatorial m (feminine singular équatoriale, masculine plural équatoriaux, feminine plural équatoriales)