Lunar & Solar Vocabulary

relating to the moon; influenced by or resembling the moon

“The lunar landscape was barren and cratered.”

Origin: Latin lunaris, from luna (moon)

relating to or determined by the sun

“The solar calendar replaced the lunar one.”

Origin: Latin solaris, from sol (sun)

mentally ill; wildly foolish or impractical

“The lunatic scheme was doomed from the start.”

Origin: Latin lunaticus (moonstruck); believed caused by lunar phases

the point at which the sun reaches its highest or lowest point; a turning point

“The winter solstice marked the start of longer days.”

Origin: Latin sol (sun) + sistere (to stand still)

relating to an equinox; having equal day and night

“The equinoctial storms arrived with predictable fury.”

Origin: Latin aequinoctium (equal night)

relating to or near the sun; rising just before sunrise

“The heliacal rising of Sirius marked the Egyptian new year.”

Origin: Greek heliakos (of the sun), from helios (sun)

relating to twilight; dim or resembling twilight

“The crepuscular light softened the harsh landscape.”

Origin: Latin crepusculum (twilight)