arctic

arc-tic · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Relating to the regions around the North Pole.

  2. 2.

    (The Arctic) The regions around the North Pole.

  3. 3.

    (Informal) Extremely cold.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Arctic Circle — The line of latitude at approximately 66.5 degrees north.
  • •
    Arctic Ocean — The ocean surrounding the North Pole.
  • •
    arctic fox — A small fox adapted to cold climates.
  • •
    arctic conditions — Extremely cold weather.

Related words

Antonyms: Antarctic, tropical
See also: Antarctic, frozen, north, polar
Synonyms: frigid, frozen, icy, polar

Etymology

From Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos ("of the bear, northern"), from arktos ("bear"), referring to the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear) near the North Pole.