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Today I learned about Canada and the word “Meridian.”

Canada

A country of northern North America. Originally inhabited by various Native American peoples, mainland Canada was explored by the English and the French beginning in the late 15th century. The French established the first permanent settlement at Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal) in 1605 but gradually lost control of eastern Canada, which was ceded to England in 1763 after the Seven Years’ War. The Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867 and extended to the western provinces in 1905; Newfoundland formally joined the federation in 1949. The Statute of Westminister (1931) confirmed Canada’s status as an independent nation within the Commonwealth. Ottawa is the capital and Toronto the largest city. Population: 30,000,000. (1)

Meridian

n. 1a. An imaginary great circle on the earth’s surface passing through the North and South geographic poles. All points on the same meridian have the same longitude. b. Either half of such a great circle from pole to pole. 2. Astronomy A great circle passing through the two poles of the celestial sphere and the zenith of a given observer. 3. Mathematics a. A curve on a surface of revolution, formed by the intersection of the surface with a plane containing the axis of revolution. b. A plane section of a surface of revolution containing the axis of revolution. 4. Any of the longitudinal lines or pathways on the body along which the acupuncture points are distributed. 5. Archaic a. The highest point in the sky reached by the sun or another celestial body; a zenith. b. Noon. 6. The highest point or stage of development; peak: “Men come to their meridian at various periods of their lives” (John Henry Newman). 7. Midwestern U.S. . . . adj. 1. Of or relating to a meridian; meridional. 2. Of or at midday: the meridian hour. 3. Of, relating to, or constituting the highest point, as of development or power: the empire in its meridian period. (2)

Footnotes:
1. “Canada.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. 2006.

2. “Meridian.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. 2006.