E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Sol’stice (2 syl.).
The summer solstice is June 21st; the winter solstice is December 22nd; so called because, on arriving at the corresponding points of the ecliptic, the sun is stopped and made to approach the equator again. (Latin, sol sistit or stat, the sun stops.)
