Antarctic

[ ant-ahrk-tik, -ahr-tik ]

adjective

1. Sometimes antarctic. of, at, or near the South Pole.

noun

1. the Antarctic, the continent of Antarctica along with the Southern Ocean.

Antarctic

/ æntˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the Antarctic or Antarctic Zone
   Antarctica and the surrounding waters

adjective

1. of or relating to the south polar regions

Antarctic

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Antarctic¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikós; replacing Middle English antartik or directly from Middle French, from Medieval Latin antarticus; ant-, Arctic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Antarctic¹

C14: via Latin from Greek antarktikos; see anti- , arctic

Example Sentences

Protected from the wind, the seismometers will transmit their data in real time and operate through the darkness of the Antarctic winter, allowing Erebus to be monitored continuously for hazards.

From Science Magazine

Permafrost is a layer of ground in Arctic and Antarctic areas that remains frozen.

From NewsForKids.net

In addition to fueling Wednesday’s freakish bomb cyclone in the Pacific Northwest, atmospheric rivers were also responsible for a freakish Antarctic heat wave in April.

From Salon

Hunted nearly to extinction during 20th century whaling, the Antarctic blue whale, the world's largest animal, went from a population size of roughly 200,000 to little more than 300.

From Science Daily

He applied for the role after reading an article about last year's Antarctic postmaster.

From BBC

Related Words

• chilly
• freezing
• frosty
• frozen
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• wintry