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Meaning of DATE LINE

Pronunciation:  deyt lIn

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WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: [n]  an imaginary line on the surface of the earth following (approximately) the 180th meridian
 
 Synonyms: dateline, International Date Line
 
 See Also: line of longitude, longitude, meridian

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Date line\
The hypothetical line on the surface of the earth fixed by
international or general agreement as a boundary on one side
of which the same day shall have a different name and date in
the calendar from its name and date on the other side.

Note: Speaking generally, the date line coincides with the
      meridian 180[deg] from Greenwich. It deflects between
      north latitudes 80[deg] and 45[deg], so that all Asia
      lies to the west, all North America, including the
      Aleutian Islands, to the east of the line; and between
      south latitudes 12[deg] and 56[deg], so that Chatham
      Island and the Tonga group lie to the west of it. A
      vessel crossing this line to the westward sets the date
      forward by one day, as from Sunday to Monday. A vessel
      crossing the line to the eastward sets the date back by
      one day, as from Monday to Sunday. Hawaii has the same
      day name as San Francisco; Manila, the same day name as
      Australia, and this is one day later than the day of
      Hawaii. Thus when it is Monday May 1st at San Francisco
      it is Tuesday may 2d at Manila.

 

 

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