Insolation
/ˌɪn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/noun
The exposure of something to sunlight, especially the amount of solar radiation received by a surface.
Did you know?Its root is Latin sol, the Sun, which was also associated with Sol Invictus—the Roman image of the unconquered solar power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sóh₂wl̥
“Sun; the celestial body that gives light and warmth”
Classical Latin
Latin
sōl
“The Sun; also the Roman solar deity”
Classical Latin
Latin
insōlāre
“To expose to the Sun or place in sunlight”
Late Latin
Latin
insōlātiō
“Exposure to sunlight”
19th Century
French
insolation
“Exposure to the Sun; sunstroke in medical usage”
Modern English
English
insolation
“The receipt or exposure of solar radiation, especially in meteorology and climatology”