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)

  1. (astronomy, now only in compounds) Pertaining to the celestial north pole, or to the pole star. [from 14th c.]
  2. (geography) Pertaining to the northern polar region of the planet, characterised by extreme cold and an icy landscape. [from 16th c.]
  3. 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.’
  4. Designed for use in very cold conditions. [from 19th c.]

Translations

Proper noun

Arctic

  1. (obsolete) The north celestial pole. [15th-17th c.]
  2. (geography) The region of the Earth above the Arctic Circle, containing the North Pole. [from 17th c.]

Translations

Derived terms

Noun

Arctic (plural Arctics)

  1. (US, now chiefly historical) A warm waterproof overshoe. [from 19th c.]
  2. 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)

  1. Alternative letter-case form of Arctic

Noun

arctic (plural arctics)

  1. Alternative letter-case form of Arctic