Arctic

American  

[ahrk-tik, ahr-tik] / ˈɑrk tɪk, ˈɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. Sometimes arctic of, relating to, or located at or near the North Pole.

   the Arctic region.

2. Sometimes arctic coming from the North Pole or the Arctic region.

   an Arctic wind.

3. Often arctic suitable for use in the Arctic.

   Arctic boots.

4. Usually arctic characteristic of the extremely cold, snowy, windy weather north of the Arctic Circle; frigid; bleak.

   an arctic winter.

5. arctic, extremely cold in manner, atmosphere, etc..

   a look of arctic disdain.

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noun

1. the Arctic, the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timberline.

2. arctics, warm, waterproof overshoes.

arctic ¹ British  

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Arctic

   arctic temperatures

2. informal cold; freezing

   the weather at Christmas was arctic

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noun

1. a high waterproof overshoe with buckles

2. (modifier) designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold

   arctic clothing

Arctic ² British  

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the regions north of the Arctic Circle

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adjective

1. of or relating to the regions north of the Arctic Circle

Arctic Cultural  

1. Region in the northernmost area of the Earth, centered on the North Pole.

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Discover More

The weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between continents in the Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.

Other Word Forms

• arctically adverb
• subarctic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Arctic

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikós “northern,” literally, “of the Bear,” equivalent to árkt(os), “bear” ( Ursa Major ) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English artik, from Middle French artique, from Latin

Example Sentences

In contrast, Aphaneramma fossils have been discovered in rocks of similar age in Svalbard in the Scandinavian Arctic, the Russian Far East, Pakistan, and Madagascar.

From Science Daily

Since that day, I’ve left my footprints in many lands: the frozen wastelands of the Arctic, the bush country of Old Mexico, and the steaming jungles of Yucatán.

From Literature

In the space of just over a month, three massive football names, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and now Inter Milan, have fallen to Bodo/Glimt -- a small Norwegian club based inside the Arctic Circle.

From Barron's

Bodo/Glimt are on the march in the Champions League after dumping out European giants Inter Milan, the latest chapter in a remarkable rise for the tiny club from north of the Arctic Circle.

From Barron's

The Norwegian team, based around 200 miles into the Arctic Circle, have forged a reputation for upsets, but on Tuesday night in Milan they produced one of the biggest in Champions League history.

From BBC