antipodal

American  

[an-tip-uh-dl] / ænˈtɪp ə dl /

adjective

1. Geography. on the opposite side of the globe; pertaining to the antipodes.

2. diametrically opposite.

   twin brothers with antipodal personalities.

3. Botany. (in a developing ovule) of or at the end opposite to the micropyle.

   antipodal nuclei.

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antipodal British  

/ ænˈtɪpədəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to diametrically opposite points on the earth's surface

2. exactly or diametrically opposite

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antipodal Scientific  

/ ăn-tĭp′ə-dəl /

1. In angiosperms, any of three nuclei located at the end of the embryo sac opposite the micropyle. The antipodals degenerate at or shortly after fertilization.

2. See more at embryo sac

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1. Situated on the opposite side or sides of the Earth.

Etymology

Origin of antipodal

First recorded in 1640–50; antipode + -al ¹

Explanation

When things directly oppose each other, they're antipodal. Geographers use antipodal for places that are on the exact opposite sides of the earth from each other. Parts of Spain are antipodal to New Zealand — in other words, if you drew a line straight through the center of the earth, you could connect those two countries. The Greek root of antipodal is antipous, "with feet opposite ours." You can also use this adjective figuratively to mean "opposed." If you and your brother couldn't be more different (you like vanilla, he prefers chocolate; you're a dog person, he loves cats), the two of you are antipodal.

Example Sentences

In the book Baum merely set her wickedness as antipodal to Dorothy Gale’s pluck and goodness.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2024

As time has passed, more and more longtime New Yorkers have also begun to better understand their antipodal counterparts.

From New York Times • May 3, 2017

He flew to Australia to search stream beds for Blakemore’s antipodal counterparts.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 23, 2016

And thus we see the basic impulse to keep etiquette alive and well in an arena designed to be antipodal to the formal, hierarchical experience of art.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2015

During the antipodal winter he was employed as a much- in-demand helicopter-skiing guide.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer