arctic
[ ahrk-tik or especially for 7, ahr-tik ]
/ ˈɑrk tɪk or especially for 7, ˈɑr tɪk /
adjective
noun
(often initial capital letter)
the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timber line.
arctics,
warm, waterproof overshoes.
Origin of arctic
1350–1400; < Latin
arcticus < Greek
arktikós northern, literally, of the Bear, equivalent to
árkt(os) bear (see
Ursa Major) +
-ikos
-ic; replacing Middle English
artik < Middle French
artique < Latin
OTHER WORDS FROM arctic
arc·ti·cal·ly, adverb su·per·arc·tic, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH arctic
antarctic arcticWords nearby arctic
arcs,
arcsec,
arcsin,
arctan,
arctation,
arctic,
arctic char,
arctic circle,
arctic daisy,
arctic fox,
arctic hare
Example sentences from the Web for arctic
British Dictionary definitions for arctic (1 of 2)
arctic
/ (ˈɑːktɪk) /
adjective
of or relating to the Arctic
arctic temperatures
informal
cold; freezing
the weather at Christmas was arctic
noun
US
a high waterproof overshoe with buckles
(modifier)
designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold
arctic clothing
Word Origin for arctic
C14: from Latin
arcticus, from Greek
arktikos northern, literally: pertaining to (the constellation of) the Bear, from
arktos bear
British Dictionary definitions for arctic (2 of 2)
Arctic
/ (ˈɑːktɪk) /
noun
the Arctic or Arctic Zone
the regions north of the Arctic Circle
adjective
of or relating to the regions north of the Arctic Circle
Cultural definitions for arctic
notes for Arctic
The
weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
notes for Arctic
The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between
continents in the
Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.