The time at which the sun reaches the winter tropic, i.e., in the northern hemisphere the tropic of Capricorn, in the southern the tropic of Cancer; the middle of the winter half of the year, midway between the autumnal and vernal equinoxes.
a. 1633. Austin, Medit. (1635), 42. This night [sc. Christmas] was shortly after the Winter Solstice; when Night growes shorter, and Day longer.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iii. 48. Even the Autumnal buds, which await the return of the Sun, do after the winter solstice multiply their calicular leaves.
1729. Fenton, in Wallers Wks., Observ. p. xvi. At the time of their breeding (which is about the winter-solstice), the sea is calm.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVII. 471/2. Winter begins at the winter solstice.