antarctic

[ant-ahrk-tik, -ahr-tik] /æntˈɑrk tɪk, -ˈɑr tɪk/
adjective
1.
of, at, or near the South Pole.
noun
2.
the Antarctic, the Antarctic Ocean and Antarctica.
Origin
1325-75; < Latin antarcticus < Greek antarktikós (see ant-, arctic); replacing Middle English antartik (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin antarticus
Can be confused
antarctic, arctic.
Examples from the web for antarctic
  • The ship gauss, used in the gauss expedition to the antarctic.
British Dictionary definitions for antarctic

Antarctic

/æntˈɑːktɪk/
noun
1.
the Antarctic, Antarctic Zone, Antarctica and the surrounding waters
adjective
2.
of or relating to the south polar regions
Word Origin
C14: via Latin from Greek antarktikos; see anti-, arctic
Word Origin and History for antarctic
adj.

late 14c., antartyk "opposite to the north pole" (adj.), also (with capital A) "region around the South pole" (n.), from Old French antartique, from Medieval Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikos "opposite the north," from anti- "opposite" (see anti-) + arktikos "arctic" (see arctic). The first -c- sound ceased to be pronounced in Medieval Latin and was dropped in Old French. Modern English spelling, which restores it, dates from 17c.

antarctic in Culture

Antarctic definition


The region around the South Pole, Antarctica, and the surrounding ocean.