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Where does the word "equator" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin aequator, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "equator" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin aequator, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Equator’s story begins in Medieval Latin: aequator meant “equalizer.” Medieval Latin 'circulus aequator diei et noctis', the circle equalizing day and night. It reached English by 1300s as equator. Geographers applied it to the Earth. Today, equator means an imaginary line around the Earth's middle.
- Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval aequator "equalizer", Medieval Latin 'circulus aequator diei et noctis', the circle equalizing day and night.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s equator "celestial equator", geographers applied it to the Earth.