2. (Astrol.) Born under the predominant influence of the sun.
[Obs.]
And proud beside, as solar people are. --Dryden.
3. Measured by the progress or revolution of the sun in the
ecliptic; as, the solar year.
4. Produced by the action of the sun, or peculiarly affected
by its influence.
They denominate some herbs solar, and some lunar.
--Bacon.
{Solar cycle}. See under {Cycle}.
{Solar engine}, an engine in which the energy of solar heat
is used to produce motion, as in evaporating water for a
steam engine, or expanding air for an air engine.
{Solar flowers} (Bot.), flowers which open and shut daily at
certain hours.
{Solar microscope}, a microscope consisting essentially,
first, of a mirror for reflecting a beam of sunlight
through the tube, which sometimes is fixed in a window
shutter; secondly, of a condenser, or large lens, for
converging the beam upon the object; and, thirdly, of a
small lens, or magnifier, for throwing an enlarged image
of the object at its focus upon a screen in a dark room or
in a darkened box.