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Dictionary Language resources

equator

Pronunciation: /ɪˈkweɪtə/

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Definition of equator

noun

a line notionally drawn on the earth equidistant from the poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0°.
Astronomyshort for celestial equator.

Origin:

late Middle English: from medieval Latin aequator, in the phrase circulus aequator diei et noctis 'circle equalizing day and night', from Latin aequare 'make equal' (see equate)