meridian (redirected from line of longitude)

Meridian (mərĭd`ēən), city (1990 pop. 41,036), seat of Lauderdale co., E Miss., near the Ala. line; settled 1831, inc. 1860. It is an important rail and highway point and the trade and shipping center for a farm, livestock, and timber area. There is also diverse manufacturing. In the Civil War, Meridian was the temporary capital of Mississippi (1863); it was destroyed by General Sherman in Feb., 1864. Meridian Naval Air Station is to the north. Nearby Okatibbee Reservoir offers recreational activities.

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meridian

1. 

a. one of the imaginary lines joining the north and south poles at right angles to the equator, designated by degrees of longitude from 0? at Greenwich to 180?

b. the great circle running through both poles

2. Astronomy

a. the great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the north and south celestial poles and the zenith and nadir of the observer

b. (as modifier): a meridian instrument

3. Maths a section of a surface of revolution, such as a paraboloid, that contains the axis of revolution

4. (in acupuncture, etc.) any of the channels through which vital energy is believed to circulate round the body

5. Obsolete noon

6. along or relating to a meridian

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meridian [mə′rid·ē·ən]

(astronomy)

A great circle passing through the poles of the axis of rotation of a planet or satellite.

celestial meridian

(geodesy)

A north-south reference line, particularly a great circle through the geographical poles of the earth.