Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Arctic
Arc′tic
,Adj.
[OE.
artik
, OF. artique
, F. arctique
, L. arcticus
, fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] a bear, also a northern constellation so called; akin to L. ursus
bear, Skr. [GREEK]ksha.] Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; northern; frigid;
as, the
arctic
pole, circle, region, ocean; an arctic
expedition, night, temperature.☞ The arctic circle is a lesser circle, parallel to the equator, 23° 28´ from the north pole. This and the antarctic circle are called the polar circles, and between these and the poles lie the frigid zones. See
Zone
. Arc′tic
,Noun.
1.
The arctic circle.
2.
A warm waterproof overshoe.
[U.S.]
Definition 2024
Arctic
Arctic
See also: arctic
English
Alternative forms
Adjective
Arctic (not comparable)
- (astronomy, now only in compounds) Pertaining to the celestial north pole, or to the pole star. [from 14th c.]
- (geography) Pertaining to the northern polar region of the planet, characterised by extreme cold and an icy landscape. [from 16th c.]
- Extremely cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic. [from 16th c.]
- 1979, John Le Carré, Smiley's People, Folio Society 2010, p. 45:
- ‘Could you close that window, please!’ Strickland called, dialling again. ‘It's bloody arctic down this end.’
- 1979, John Le Carré, Smiley's People, Folio Society 2010, p. 45:
- Designed for use in very cold conditions. [from 19th c.]
Translations
Pertaining to the northern polar region of the planet
cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic
Proper noun
Arctic
- (obsolete) The north celestial pole. [15th-17th c.]
- (geography) The region of the Earth above the Arctic Circle, containing the North Pole. [from 17th c.]
Translations
a region of the Earth
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Derived terms
Derived terms
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Noun
Arctic (plural Arctics)
- (US, now chiefly historical) A warm waterproof overshoe. [from 19th c.]
- Any of various butterflies of the genus Oeneis. [from 20th c.]
Usage notes
- Like Antarctic, this word was originally pronounced without /k/, but the spelling pronunciation has become the more common one. The "c" was originally added to the spelling for etymological reasons, and its pronunciation returned thereafter.
arctic
arctic
See also: Arctic
English
Adjective
arctic (comparative more arctic, superlative most arctic)
- Alternative letter-case form of Arctic
Noun
arctic (plural arctics)
- Alternative letter-case form of Arctic