First Known Use: 1527
Dictionary
1tropic
noun trop·ic \ˈträ-pik\
: either one of the two imaginary lines that circle the Earth to the north and south of the equator
the tropics : the part of the world that is near the equator where the weather is very warm
Full Definition of TROPIC
1
: either of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude at a distance of about 231⁄2 degrees north or south of the equator where the sun is directly overhead when it reaches its most northerly or southerly point in the sky — compare tropic of cancer, tropic of capricorn
2
plural often capitalized : the region lying between the tropics
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Origin of TROPIC
Middle English tropik, from Latin tropicus of the solstice, from Greek tropikos, from tropē turn
Rhymes with TROPIC
2tropic
adjective
3tropic
adjective tro·pic \ˈtrō-pik\
Definition of TROPIC
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism
2
of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland
Origin of TROPIC
trop-
First Known Use: 1903
TROPICS Defined for Kids
tropic
noun trop·ic \ˈträ-pik\
Definition of TROPIC for Kids
1
: either of two parallels of the earth's latitude of which one is about 231⁄2 degrees north of the equator and the other about 231⁄2 degrees south of the equator
2
tropics plural often cap : the region lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Medical Dictionary
tropic
adjective tro·pic \ˈtrō-pik\
Medical Definition of TROPIC
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism
2
of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland
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