\Sol"stice\, n.[L. solstitium; sol the sun + sistere to
cause to stand, akin to stare to stand: cf. F. solstice. See
{Solar}, a., {Stand}, v. i.]
1. A stopping or standing still of the sun. [Obs.] --Sir T.
   Browne.

2. (Astron.)
   (a) The point in the ecliptic at which the sun is farthest
       from the equator, north or south, namely, the first
       point of the sign Cancer and the first point of the
       sign Capricorn, the former being the summer solstice,
       latter the winter solstice, in northern latitudes; --
       so called because the sun then apparently stands still
       in its northward or southward motion.
   (b) The time of the sun's passing the solstices, or
       solstitial points, namely, about June 21 and December
       21. See Illust. in Appendix.