First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1arctic
adjective arc·tic \ˈärk-tik, ˈär-tik\
: of or relating to the North Pole or the region around it
: very cold
Full Definition of ARCTIC
1
often capitalized : of, or relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it <arctic waters> <arctic animals> <arctic clothing>
2
a : bitter cold : frigid <arctic air> b : cold in temper or mood <an arctic smile>
— arc·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of ARCTIC
Middle English artik, from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos, from arktos bear, Ursa Major, north; akin to Latin ursus bear, Sanskrit ṛkṣa
Related to ARCTIC
Other Ecology Terms
Rhymes with ARCTIC
2arctic
noun arc·tic \ˈär-tik, ˈärk-tik\
Definition of ARCTIC
: a rubber overshoe reaching to the ankle or above
First Known Use of ARCTIC
1867
Other Clothing Terms
Arctic
geographical name Arc·tic \ˈärk-tik, ˈär-tik\
ARCTIC[1] Defined for Kids
arctic
adjective arc·tic \ˈärk-tik, ˈär-tik\
Definition of ARCTIC for Kids
1
often cap : of or relating to the north pole or to the region around it <arctic explorers>
2
: very cold <arctic temperatures>
Word History of ARCTIC
The Big Dipper is a group of stars in the northern sky. It looks like a dipper to us, but ancient people thought it looked like a large bear. The ancient Greeks gave it a name that meant “bear.” The English word arctic came from the Greek name for the Big Dipper. Because when we look at the Big Dipper we are looking toward the north, the word arctic refers to the region around the north pole.
Arctic
geographical name Arc·tic \ˈärk-tik, ˈärt-ik\
Definition of ARCTIC for Kids
2
regions around the Arctic Circle
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