Meridian
/məˈrɪd.i.ən/noun
A line of longitude or the highest point reached by the sun in its daily path.
Did you know?The word 'meridian' comes from the Latin 'meridianus', meaning 'midday', reflecting ancient beliefs about the sun's power at its zenith.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*medhyo-
“Middle, center.”
Latin
Latin
meridianus
“Of midday, pertaining to the highest point of the sun.”
Old French
Old French
meridien
“Line of longitude, noon.”
Middle English
Middle English
meridian
“Noon, the highest point or line.”
Modern English
English
meridian
“A term used for the highest point of the sun or the imaginary lines for navigation.”