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.]